Eccleshill Bowling Club produced the performance of their lives last Sunday to capture the Yorkshire Cup with a 204-201 victory over Elland WMC.

A crowd of over 400 spectators gathered at Almondbury Liberals Bowling Club (Huddersfield) to witness one of the most nail-biting finals in living memory as Eccleshill recovered from a slow start to record a thrilling victory.

Elland had got off to a flying start and after four jacks they led Eccleshill by 17 points before Eccleshill roared back into the game on the back of a 21-7 win for Nigel Roper.

Elland looked like they were once again going to take charge of the game when Mel Gilbert built up an early 13-4 advantage over Eccleshill's Ian Dewhirst. Any thoughts that Elland might have held that Dewhirst was about to roll over without a fight were soon cast aside as he staged a remarkable recovery to allow Gilbert only one more point as the Eccleshill bowler produced a staggering comeback to win 21-14.

As the pressure began to mount Elland recorded another two victories before a captain's performance from Mick Angus (21-5) meant that with two jacks still on the green Eccleshill trailed Elland by a solitary point.

Elland still had the brilliance of the game's number one player, Graeme Wilson, to call upon but he was forced to pull out some wonder bowls before he managed to see off the challenge of Liam Griffin 21-18.

The game rested on the result of the final jack and Eccleshill's Richard Stockdale held off a spirited challenge from Elland's Eddie Halpin to edge home 21-14 to clinch a memorable victory for the Bradford club.