NORTON'S Betty Stubbings and Lynne Metcalfe piled the shots high to power into the semi-finals of the Golden Charter Women's All England Bowls pairs championship in Nottingham last night.

The Ryedale clubmates swept into a 9-4 lead against Gillian Rees and Christine Grigg from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire after eight ends of their quarter final clash, but were rocked as the opposition hit back with three successive doubles to edge ahead 10-9.

Back came Stubbings and Metcalfe with a double and single to lead 12-10, but they were stunned as Rees and Grigg amassed eight shots over four ends to move 18-12 ahead with just four ends to play.

The Ryedale duo then unleashed a treble, a superb seven and a single, charging 23-18 ahead and they held off a late challenge to win the battle 23-20.

Earlier Stubbings and Metcalfe saw off Banbury's Alma Garrett and Ann Reilly in the opening round.

Stubbings and Metcalfe found themselves 5-0 down after just two ends but they stormed back to draw level at 7-7.

A Banbury rally saw them lead 12-8, but again Stubbings and Metcalfe had something up their sleeves, scoring 14 shots over five successive ends to lead 22-12 and going on to win 23-14.

The Ryedale pair were today taking on Joan Ward and England international Jean Baker, from South Forest, Notts, in the semi-finals, while the City of Elywere meeting Tye Green from Essex in the other semi-final.

Updated: 11:49 Wednesday, March 06, 2002