ALL of the 2004 York Open Bowls Tournament winners will be back to defend their titles at this year's competition.

Organisers have once more been disappointed with the low number of entries for this month's event, which begins on Monday, July 25 at Clarence Gardens, West Bank Park and Glen Gardens, but it is hoped that quality can compensate for the lack of quantity.

In the blue ribband event, Haxby Road's Gary Bunce will start his attempt to retain the men's singles crown against Geoff Symons, of Dringhouses, whom he beat at the semi-final stage last year.

Bunce will also be hoping to enjoy a repeat success in the mixed pairs with Anne Illingworth (Scarcroft), although their first game against Pauline Veitch (Cayton) and Tim Winter (Hull) appears tough.

In the ladies singles, Judy Able (Shipton) shall meet Dottie Kaye (Burnholme), who has been pitted against the defending champion for a second successive year.

Hull's Jim Moulds and Sam Winters, the holders of the men's pairs title, have received a bye but face Scarcroft duo Peter Lawrence and Harley Whenham in the second round.

Reigning ladies' pairs champions Betty Richardson (Bert Keech) and Carol Williams (Nestl Rowntree) have a tough half of the draw, including 2004 beaten finalists Pat and Maureen Walker, from Clarence Ladies.

Scott Burrell, of Nafferton, will also be back, hoping to match his junior victory last year.

The Lord Mayor of York Janet Greenwood and Sheriff of York Gil Nimmo are due to open this year's tournament at 9.45am.

Finals day will be on Saturday, July 30 with the action starting at 1.30pm and presentations being made at 4.45pm.

:: Greens queen Loney

POCKLINGTON bowler Joan Loney will rub shoulders with the best players in the country after being crowned the Yorkshire champion of champions.

The 68-year-old, who bowls for Stewart BC in Burnby Lane, qualified for the Northallerton semi-finals from more than 40 women at Clarence Gardens in York.

She then cruised into the final where she was taken to a nail-biting finish.

The new competition format is based on two sets of nine ends with a sudden-death three ends if the scores are level.

Loney won the first set and dropped the second, but came through with a buzz of adrenaline to claim the championship.

She said: "It's the first thing I've won outside the club and it feels splendid. Everybody at the club was very happy for me.

"I'm pleased for the club because every club needs all the encouragement and support it can get."

The reward for the testing eight-round win is a trip to Royal Leamington Spa as the Yorkshire representative in next year's national final.

Updated: 09:01 Saturday, July 16, 2005