YORK'S first division team finally got into gear in the Yorkshire Over 55s League as they swept away Redcar, beating them 129-53.

They picked up 12 of the 14 points at stake but the York second team could not get the better of Featherstone.

At Redcar, first-teamers Barry Walker, Graham Brooke, Tex Stevens and Ken Patterson were trailing 6-5 after eight ends before winning nine of the next ten ends to lead 23-7, with three ends to play, which were all won by the home side, the final score being 23-14.

Brian Thomas, Eric Hodgson, Gordon Walker and Norman Vause dropped 14 shots between the sixth and 12th ends to trail 17-8 but managed a quick response scoring a five followed by a four to level the scores.

They couldn't build on their come-back as the home side scored a four, two then a single to lead 24-17, with four ends to play, three of which were won by the visitors but they couldn't draw level as they went down 25-22.

At home Frank Turner, Fred Clayden, Noel Cammidge and Dudley Williams won all but three ends as they completely overwhelmed their opponents 36-4.

Peter Littlewood, Alwyn Redhead, Ron Kirkpatrick and Doug Mitchell stormed into a 22-0 lead after only seven ends. They lost the following two ends, but then got back on track scoring a further 26 shots, including two fives as they cantered home 48-10.

York's second division home team had a mountain to climb against the league's runaway leaders Featherstone, when the away leg left them with a 39 shot deficit.

They couldn't capitalise on a decent opening which saw Alan Storey, Ken Ogden, John Headley and Bill Hunter go into an early 15-2 lead with only nine ends gone.

The visitors responded by winning six out of eight ends scoring 23 shots which included two sixes and a five, this put them on course to win the game 25-19.

The other home rink of Alwyn Johnson, Tom Ellis, John Berridge and Kevin Harris were on the back foot from the start as they trailed 12-1 after only seven ends.

As much as they tried they couldn't get back into the game which continued to be dominated by the visitors who won 29-10.

York were disappointingly whitewashed on points going down 114-50 as all four rinks lost to effectively end any chances they had of promotion to the first division.

Last season's winners New Earswick showed group leaders York that they are not out of the title race as they beat them 23-18 picking up five points to York's one to move into second place in the group, seven points behind but with a game in hand.

Stephen Long, who had an outstanding game, was joined with Tom Aveyard and Lewis Ashton against Phillip Scott, Josh Cahill and Adam Cahill. The home side won the first three ends to lead 5-0.

York got back into the game at 6-4 with six ends gone but Long's side pulled away again winning four of the next five ends to lead 12-5, although Scott's team won the last two ends, the damage had already been done with New Earswick winning 12-7.

In the other rink, Michael Ollis, Phil Bruce and Nick Ollis also had a good start winning the first three ends but could only score singles on them which was soon pulled back by Liam Cahill, Adam Tattersall and Phillip Herridge who won six of the following seven ends to lead 9-5.

Though the home side weren't going to lay down, they levelled the scores two ends later, Cahill's side responded with a two but then Ollis's team scored singles on the last two ends to gain a valuable point 11-11.

Entries are now being taken for the 36th York Open Bowls Tournament which will take place from Monday, July 28 to Saturday, August 20.

This year's tournament will for the first time include an Under-18s singles event (male or female) and the organisers are hoping to attract youngsters from all over Yorkshire.

Entry is free and it is hoped to play most of the games on Friday, August 1, with the finals being played on Saturday, August 2.

Entry forms can be obtained from competition secretary, Ian Farrar on 01904 632159.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, January 23, 2003