THE big guns are still firing after the opening two rounds of the men’s pairs title chase in the 40th York Open Bowls Tournament.

Title-holders Scott Burrell and Josh Cahill successfully negotiated the opening two rounds posting emphatic 28-12 and 27-10 triumphs in the bid to hang on to their crown.

But also in the third round mix went Mike Bruce, a runner-up last summer, and now partnered by Paul Humphreys.

They enjoyed a comfortable first round triumph, but then had to go to an extra end in the next tie before seeing off R Lochman and D Newsome 22-21.

The men’s pairs also featured the youngest player for many a year, 12-year-old Neil Macdonald.

He and K Robinson sailed through the opening round with a 31-13 success, but the youngster’s adventure ended in a valiant second round 25-18 loss.