Yorkshire Ladies played their first round Atherley Trophy game against Durham hoping to emulate their success of 1999 when they won the competition.

The home leg of the game took place at Thanet Road where Carol Instone's rink had a superb 28-13 victory, Linda Harrison's rink also won 26-20 and Melanie Brooke's team won 22-16.

The away leg was played at South Shields where there was success for Jeanette Coulson's rink by 22-15 and Beryl Alderson's rink won 28-12. The only losing team was Lynn Metcalfe's 27-13.

Yorkshire won the match 139-103 and face the winners of the Northumberland against Nottinghamshire game.

York and District Indoor Bowls Club ladies started their defence of the Yetton Trophy in fine form with a convincing 107-52 win against Scarborough.

At home Jeanette Coulson, Sue Tomlinson, Ann Redhead and Madge Zimnoch won 36-8 against Zaltic, Hibbard, Collinson and Clipperton.

Carol Instone, Mary Wreglesworth, Barbara Davison and Joyce Chelin also won with ease against Hodges, Adams, Proctor and Kerr 27-10.

In Scarborough Pat Napier, who had an unbeaten rink throughout last year's campaign, continued where she left off with a 28-16 victory.

Napier, joined by Maureen Walker, June Clayton and Dot Kennelly faced Neal, Lees, Whyman and Myers.

In the other rink Linda Harrison, Sue Kirkpatrick, Maureen Thomas and Joan Jackson were leading 16-13 going into the last end but dropped a five to lose by two to Miller, Johnson, Martin and Broadbent.

York play the winners of the New Earswick against Selby game, which was postponed last Thursday due to the floods in Selby.