REIGNING champion Scott Burrell teamed up with Laura Clarke to blaze a trail through the mixed pairs draw at the 43rd York Open Bowls Tournament.

Burrell, who claimed the title in tandem with Carol Instone last year, and Clarke stormed through their opening three rounds to book a quarter-final clash with Helen Walker and Mike Bruce.

Betty Richardson and David Harrison, the 2008 champions and last year’s runners-up, were ousted in round one this time around.

Hayley MacDonald, who has qualified for next month’s Nationals at Leamington Spa in the under-25s singles, reached the quarter-finals in fine style with Nick MacDonald. They were due to meet Sandra Grantham and Brian Gray.

Pauline Cooper and John Cooper were taking on Margaret Pearson and David Pearson in the last eight, while Chris Guy, a mixed title winner with Eric Wilkinson in 2007, was teaming up with Alan Close against Maureen Walker and Barry Walker.

Today’s tournament schedule sees the third round and quarter-finals of the men’s pairs take place at West Park, while the opening rounds of the ladies singles 21-up will be staged at Clarence Gardens.

The men’s singles 21-up will also be held at Clarence Gardens tonight, with the later rounds taking place tomorrow.

The ladies pairs gets under way tomorrow at Glen Gardens, with the junior singles being held at Clarence Gardens on Friday.

All the finals are on Saturday.