AN EPIC four-and-a-half-hour game took place in the national ladies sub-zone final between York's Madge Zimnoch, Jeanette Coulson, June Clayton and Sue Tomlinson and New Earswick's Margaret Moss, Gill Clarke, Carol Beavers, and Pat Walker.

Trailing 18-4 after ten ends the New Earswick Ladies looked to have lost the game, but a spirited fight-back where they won six consecutive ends, including a six put them ahead 20-18.

The visitors were still leading 22-21 going into the last end but Coulson got the shot to put the scores level, which meant an extra end was required.

The coolness of Moss gave the New Earswick Ladies the shot they needed to take the game 23-22.

York's remaining hopes in the national competitions rest now with Dot Kennelly and Pat Napier, who comfortably beat North Cave's Walmsley and Bielby 21-11 in the ladies pairs sub-zone final and Carol Instone and Joan Jackson, who had an equally convincing 20-11 win against Barnsley's Fitzgerald and Cox.

Another exciting game took place in the national mens' triples between North Cave's Curtis, Waudby and Boyle and York's Graham Brooke Tex Stevens and Phil Parsons who were leading 16-8 with four ends to go before a three, one and a five put the home side 17-16 in front going into the last end.

However, a fantastic seven gave the York trio the game at 23-17 and a place in the area semi-final.

There was disappointment for both York teams at the quarter-final stage of the county competitions held at York & District Indoor Bowls Club.

In the pairs New Earswick's Malcolm Beavers and Dave Kermode just could not get into their game with Metrodome and lost 26-10.

In the triples York's David and John Stroughair and Graham Instone lost the lead in the sixth end and went on to lose 13-9.

Updated: 12:28 Thursday, February 01, 2001