New Earswick Bowls Club are ready to give youth a chance, writes Dave Flett.

That was the message from newly-appointed full-time stadium manager Andy Webster this week as he announced plans to team up with the area's schools and widen the sport's appeal to a younger generation.

Acomb-based Webster, 51, has never played bowls in his life but has been given the job after 34 years working as a manager for the Royal Mail and he said: "I am looking to encourage ideas and partnerships with schools at ground level, which would be new for this club.

"Bowls has not traditionally been perceived as a young person's sport but there are plenty of kids out there who don't like contact sports so we might attract those that prefer playing chess and other mind games."

Webster is also hoping to welcome new sponsors, as well as swell the club's membership and explore the full potential of the function room to maximise income.

As well as his important business off the green, Andy plans to roll a few woods himself too, saying: "I've never played bowls but I think I could be persuaded now."

Anybody interested in sponsorship opportunities or holding a function at the club should call Andy on 01904 750230.

York progress

THERE were mixed fortunes for York and New Earswick in the Denny Cup second round.

York easily beat Doncaster 105-61, but New Earswick missed the chance of meeting York after losing 82-70 to Blackburn.

Barry Johnson took over from Paul Dawson as skip at Huntington Road and was joined by Jim Bone, Alan Spencer and Dave Sykes to face Blackburn skip John Walker, who played for York up to last season.

Johnson led 4-0 after two ends but by the ninth end the scores were level at 7-7 and the visitors scored 14 shots without reply over the next seven ends and won 26-11.

However, Bob Edwards, Bob Howland, Dave Kermode and Mick Stannard were in fine form. After losing the first end they stormed home 30-13.

Across the Pennines, Dave Birch, Mal Beavers, Ralph Tiplady and Dennis Ellis dropped a five on the first end but got back into the game to only trail by two at 9-7 with ten ends gone, but Blackburn surged through 23-16.

The other away rink of Ken Harrison, Bill Waldie, Joe Cooper and Steve Long lost 20-13 after being level at ten ends.

York's Paul Mooring, Graham Brooke, Dean Moss and Josh Cahill were involved in a close home game with the score at 9-8 after 13 ends before winning all but one of the remaining ends to coast home 28-9 victors.

The other home rink of Frank Turner, Eddie Howcroft, Dudley Williams and Philip Scott were 9-0 down after three ends but battled back to lead 21-18 with two ends to play. However, a single, followed by a two gave Doncaster a 21-21 draw.

There were was an easy victory for Gordon Smith, Kevin Davey, Mal Harrison and Phil Parsons, who romped home 27-13.

The other York quartet - Iain Boyle, Paul Humphries, Mick Parker and Graham Instone - responded in great fashion after dropping a five on the fourth end. They scored a four, a three then a five to lead 17-6 after seven ends. After that the ends were even but the damage had been done and York won 29-18.

Yorkshire, who include ten players from York IBC, take on Lancashire in the Liberty Trophy on Saturday with three rinks at Thanet Road and three at Blackpool Newton Hall. The game starts at noon.

Boyle's quartet edge it

YORK won three rinks to beat Hull 90-71 on aggregate in the Egham Trophy.

Iain Boyle, Paul Humphries, Carol Instone and Shirley Stacey edged home 21-19.

After 15 ends the home side had the advantage at 16-13 but the visitors came back to lead 19-17 with three ends to play. Boyle's team dug deep and won all three to take the game 21-19.

David Stroughair, Kevin Davey, Joyce Chelin and Joan Jackson took the pressure off the other rinks by opening an early 13-1 lead.

The Humbersiders roared back to lead 14-13 but Stroughair's experience came through as his rink won all of the remaining ends to record a 34-14 victory.

Paul Mooring, Graham and Melanie Brooke and Brenda Love were also involved in a close game at Hull where they trailed 15-12 with two ends to play, but a six followed by a single gave York side an impressive victory.

The other York rink of Gordon Smith, Frank Turner, Michelle Mooring and Dot Kennelly lost 23-16.

New Earswick crashed out of the Egham Trophy when they slumped to a 100-68 defeat against North Cave.

Brenda Keller, Gill Clark, Ralph Tiplady and Mick Stannard were Earswick's only winning rink.

After twelve ends they led 11-10 but only lost two more ends as they won 27-12.

The other home rink of Bob Edwards, Bill Waldier, Lyn Jerrum and Dottie Kay lost 25-13.

Barry Johnson, Mal Beavers, Maureen Wood and Pat Walker were never in the game at North Cave, going down 36-10, while Ray Clark, Dave Birch, Kath Sykes and Jeanette Coulson also struggled to a 27-18 defeat.

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, October 28, 2004