The Yorkshire Ladies had an excellent 116-104 victory in the Atherley Trophy against Nottinghamshire, who knocked the white rose county out of the competition at the same stage last year.

The three home rinks were played at Thornaby, where York's Jeanette Coulson skipped a winning rink including club-mate Joan Jackson. It was a close run game, but they won 18-17.

Ryedale's Lynn Metcalfe's rink included York's Trish Stevens and they came back from 19-17 down with three ends to play to draw 21-21. In the other home rink at Thornaby's Beryl Alderson's rink won easily 23-14.

The away game was at Rushcliffe IBC, where York's Linda Harrison skipped the only winning rink.

She was joined by New Earswick's Gill Clark and Selby's Ella Shipley, together with North Cave's Sylvia Waudby.

They were in front from the first end and had a commanding 21-8 lead after 15 ends before their opponents won three ends on the trot. But it was only a momentary blip, the Yorkshire rink going on to win 26-12.

The all-York rink of Helen Walker, Melanie Brooke, Sheila Turpin and Maureen Walker took an 8-0 lead after only four ends.

But the home side won nine of the next ten to take a 16-9 lead. Although Walker's rink got within one shot at 19-18 with one end to go they couldn't quite get level, losing 20-18.

Carol Instone, included York club-mates Dot Kennelly and June Clayton and New Earswick's Margaret Moss, but her rink struggled at 17-6 down after 14 ends. They narrowed the gap, but could not fend off defeat.

Overall, Yorkshire won three rinks, lost two and drew one and now move into the quarter finals of the competition they last won in 1999.

Yorkshire 'B', with four New Earswick IBC players, had a great 142-77 win against Lancashire 'B'. They took all six rinks at Blackpool Borough IBC to prevail in the rose' challenge.

Barry Johnson was moved to skip following the withdrawal of Dickens from Scarborough.

He was joined by club colleague Harry Rhodes and secured an easy 21-11 victory.

Dave Birch was placed in Holliday's rink and again Yorkshire had a comfortable victory 24-15.

Ray Clark's rink kept the momentum going with a 22-10 win only dropping six ends throughout their game. D Talbot's rink won 27-11, T Wilford's won 27-16 and Alan Hodge's rink won 21-14 - none of the rinks were in trouble at any time throughout the match.

This score added to the first leg score gave Yorkshire an aggregate 267-171 victory.

Updated: 12:19 Thursday, January 11, 2001