Roger Wood's team from the Haxby Road Club in York club saw the winning post come too soon for them as they chased a place in the last 32 of the Men's English National Bowls Fours Championship at Worthing.

There was an early shock for Wood and club-mates Michael Mansell, Frank Turner and David Stroughair as opponents, Roger Evans of Kent side Lenham rocketed into a 9-0 lead after just four ends of the first round clash.

Wood and company hit back with a double and single, but they were soon in more trouble as Evans launched another scoring charge, piling up a five, a double and a single for a 19-3 lead nearing half-way.

Wood dug in, crawling back a treble and double, but he trailed 19-8 and then Evans added two doubles and a single at successive ends.

However, Wood and his men launched an incredible fight-back, pounding their rivals with a single, a double, a sizzling six and a five to slash the gap to 24-22.

Evans rallied his forces with a treble and although Wood pulled back a single at the last end, Evans hung on to win 27-23.

Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, August 16, 2005