THE New Earswick Indoor Bowls Club season reached a thrilling climax with their league play-off finals and the last of the knockout finals.

In the knockout competition, Ralph Tiplady (-2) played Andrew Fothergill (scr) in a repeat of last year’s Handicap Singles final.

Tiplady took a three on the first end to eliminate the handicap. At 19-11 up, he looked to be safe but six shots in two ends brought Fothergill back into the game.

Tiplady came back with a two at the next end to seal a 21-17 victory to retain the Nancy Williams Trophy.

In the Any Triples final, Dave Sykes took an early 8-3 lead and took the title 26-10.

Ron Wood’s team got off to a flying start and never looked back, beating Barry Harrison’s team 24-12 to retain the Vets Gents Triples trophy for a third year.

In the Vets Gents Fours, Harrison retained the trophy with a 19-9 win over Bill Tomlinson.

George Williams took on Sykes in an even encounter in the Gents Fours. Williams was 19-11 up with three ends to play, but six shots on the next two ends gave Sykes a chance going into the last end. A two saw Williams win 21-17.

The Gents Triples was level at 12 after 14 ends between Mal Beavers and Steve Moody, but Beavers steamed to a 21-13 success.

The Gents Pairs saw Ralph Tiplady get off to a flyer, but Kev Goodrick took seven ends in a row to forge ahead 19-8. Tiplady responded taking the next three ends, but Goodrick weathered the storm and won 29-17.

Sheriff Hutton led Chalkers 20-11 in the Club Gents Fours and, although Chalkers fought back to 20-18, Sheriff held on to win 22-19.

In the Club Mixed Fours, the Robins relinquished their grip on the trophy as they lost to Osbaldwick ‘A’. The holders went behind by the third end and Osbaldwick were never headed, running out 25-16 winners.

In the Mixed Triples, Brian Gray’s team beat Brian Hardcastle’s team 26-7 to retain the title for the third year running.

Having won the league for a seventh consecutive year, Greenhills had a harder run in the Club Any Triples play-offs against last year’s runners-up Hedgehogs.

Leading only 14-12 with two ends to play, Greenhills secured a 17-12 victory by winning both ends.

David Pearson’s team lost only five ends in a 22-9 victory over Dave Sykes in the Mixed Pairs.

The Ladies Pairs was one-sided, with Val Fort’s team overpowering Dottie Kay 36-8.

In their first final, Edna West’s team stormed into a 7-0 lead after three ends against Margaret Moss’ team in the Ladies Triples. By the 11th end Moss was in front 9-8, but then went 13-9 down.

They took the next four ends to go into the final end leading by two and they won 15-14.

The best was saved to the last match, with Maureen Wood defending the Ladies Fours trophy against Colleen Raw’s team.

Down 20-17 on the final end, Wood’s team pulled out a three to take the tie into an extra end, but Raw’s team got a single to win it.


York Open Bowls Tournament entries

A HOST of champions will be defending their crowns at the 43rd York Open Bowls Tournament.

The event will be held in the city between Monday, July 26 and Saturday, July 31.

Time is running out to submit entries as the draw will be made on May 26.

Tournament secretary Graham Brooke said: “I want to remind people that this is their final chance to enter with the draw coming up soon.”

The junior event, which will be played on Friday, July 30, is free to enter for anyone aged under 18. It is the only category in which players can enter on the day.

Further information is available by phoning Brooke on 01757 248384.