York's Ladies went back to the top of the North Eastern Indoor Bowls League at the expense of New Earswick.

York toppled their city rivals 81-77 in a closely fought encounter and more importantly they won three rinks to one to claim eight points to New Earswick's two.

At Thanet Road, Pat Bracken, Doreen Arnett, Marlene Broughton and Sue Jeffrey had a good opening half leading 13-4 after ten ends though Margaret Moss, Kath Sykes, Margaret Pearson and Pat Storey pulled back the deficit to one shot over three winning ends before York won 22-19.

The other rink brought good news for New Earswick as Gill Clark, Diane Hardy, Ann Imeson and Margaret Blows scored 19 shots to four between the fourth and 11th ends, including a six to lead 20-7.

The home side of Ella Armitt, Sylvia Walker, Jenny Darrell and Ann Sharpley hit back winning seven of the next eight ends, but Clark showed her experience and made certain her team were going to win by scoring a five, then a single, to win 27-16.

At Huntington Road, Brenda Keller, Jean Bartnett, June Barker and Pat Lancaster looked fairly comfortable leading 13-9 after ten ends before Margaret Smith, Irene Paylor, Jean Williams and Pat Ellis stepped up a gear to win all but three of the remaining 11 ends to claim a memorable 25-16 victory.

Joyce Gee, Kath Pepper, Mavis Puckering and Pat Lofthouse had a very comfortable start to the game which saw them leading 16-6 after 15 ends, but Lys Jerrum wasn't going to go down without a fight and, partnered by Maureen Cooper, Audrey Shingles and Kath Hardcastle, pulled back to 16-10 before Gee's team picked up a two en route to winning 18-15.

York regained the lead at the top of the Yorkshire League first division but only on a shots difference of 23 as they beat Huddersfield 87-71 picking up 14 points.

Rivals Featherstone beat North Cave 91-78 but only thanks to a late surge after trailing 76-58 with 18 ends gone, collecting only 12 points.

York play Thornaby while Featherstone play Huddersfield this Saturday.

In the second division, New Earswick moved into third place with a narrow 83-79 victory over Scarborough but they only picked up ten points and now trail leaders Selby by 33 points.

In the Hebden Trophy, York kept ahead of the pack in their group after a close encounter against Selby which saw them win 79-74, but only pick up 12 points.

New Earswick closed the gap to six points as they moved into second place after an emphatic 100-66 victory collecting 16 points.

York play Scarborough this Saturday while New Earswick face Thornaby.

Maureen Walker, Carol Instone, Trish Harrison and Joan Jackson became the first York Ladies to qualify for the National Championships Finals when they beat Blackpool Newton Hall 22-16 in the Fours Area play-off at South Leeds IBC.

This Saturday and Sunday sees a triple header between York and Cumbria as both clubs have representatives in the National play-offs to see who can reach the finals at Nottingham.

On Saturday at Thornaby IBC, Carol Instone goes for double glory in the Unbadged Pairs while Pat Napier's team go for the two-wood triples.

On Sunday at Darlington, IBC Betty Richardson's team play in the triples.

Updated: 08:47 Thursday, February 03, 2005