YORK won the Hebden Trophy at North Cave Indoor Bowls Club for the ninth time in its 11-year existence.

But it was probably the toughest win of the lot as they overcame a strong Featherstone team 87-80.

With three ends to go all looked to be lost as the aggregate score stood at 75-64 to Featherstone. York pulled the score back to 79-70, but then in a remarkable last end saw all four rinks win, scoring ten shots without reply to record a memorable victory.

York's vital rink came from Brian Thomas, Tony Bryan, Ron Kirkpatrick and Ken Hutson who romped to a 25-11 lead after 15 ends en route a stylish 34-15 success.

Eric Hodgson, Norman Vause, Noel Mallen and Colin Sharpley also did well coming from 14-13 down after 16 ends to win 23-17.

Dennis Haw, Geoff Walker, Tom Ellis and Harley Wenham had been on the end of a real onslaught between the 11th and 19th ends which saw them go from 7-5 ahead to 21-10 down. But they rallied before losing 21-16.

Alwyn Johnson, Dave Dale, Phil Herridge and Ken Patterson were in deep trouble when they trailed 21-4 after 11 ends. But they too countered and though they lost 27-14, the four they scored on the last end contributed to a memorable success.

Meanwhile, York's double rink team were unlucky in the Yorkshire championship final against Huddersfield at New Earswick IBC where they lost 19-17 on aggregate by two.

David Stroughair laid three on his last end only for Alex Atkinson to get a ricochet from his last wood to kill the end and give the West Yorkshire team the title.

Earlier York had beaten North Cave 22-19 with Iain Boyle, Frank Turner, Paul Humphries and Graham Instone turning an 8-0 deficit after three ends into a 13-8 victory. David Stroughair, Paul Mooring, Eddie Howcroft and Philip Scott lost five shots on their last two ends to go down 10-9.

In their next game against Scarborough, both York rinks won comfortably - Boyle winning 16-8 and Stroughair 15-12 for a 31-20 triumph.

York topped their group in style after beating Hornsea with Boyle winning 15-7 thanks to a seven on the fifth end, while Stroughair won 14-8.

In the final, Boyle's rink were 5-3 down after five ends and won five of the last six ends to claim an 11-7 victory. Stroughair was tied at 5-5 but lost five of the last six ends to perish 12-6.

Clarence Gardens Bowling Association are holding their pre-season meeting on Tuesday, April 6 at the Jaipur Spice Restaurant, Haxby Road, starting at 7.30pm. All members welcome to attend.

Updated: 08:32 Thursday, April 01, 2004