The organisers of the City of York Open Bowls Tournament were thankful they had a catch-up day yesterday following Thursday's wash-out.

The semi-finals of all the events would normally have taken place on the Thursday but the majority of these were to be played this morning, with the finals this afternoon.

In an excellent men's singles semi-final Phil Reeves (Clifton), who had beaten former champion Gary Bunce (Haxby Road) 21-17 in the third round, knocked out Newcastle's Jack Kelso 21-17 to reach the final for the first time.

Fifteen-year-old Steve Long (Clifton) had his dream of becoming the youngest player to reach the final shattered by P Wilson (Burnholme) 21-13. Wilson plays T Winter (Hull) for a place in the final.

In the ladies pairs last year's runners-up Maureen and Pat Walker (Clarence Ladies) had the opportunity to repeat their success of two years ago but lost 17-13 to However, Judy Abel and Sandra Grantham (Nestle Rowntree).

Maureen Cook and Audrey Swann (South Shields) reached the semi-finals, where they play Liz Jerrum and Margaret Smith (Wigginton), who produced the shock of the day yesterday by beating the strong pairing of Pat Wilson and Shirley Stacey (RI) 13-10.

Earlier in the day Maureen Robinson and Pat Bracken (Scarcroft) needed an extra end to beat Lynne Tattersall (Clarence Ladies) and Maureen Thomas (Dunnington).

Bracken won the game by driving the jack into the ditch with her last wood. They then beat Val Thornton and Pauline Cooper (Clarence Ladies) 18-4 to reach the last four.

In the semi-finals Robinson and Bracken play Melanie Brooke (Bert Keech) and Brenda Love (RI).

Updated: 10:31 Saturday, August 03, 2002