Ireland powered six points clear of England, the title holders, last night in the six-nation league which will decide the European Indoor Bowls team championship in Jersey.

Fightbacks were the order of the day as Ireland won all four of their matches in the fourth and fifth sessions.

Blackrock's women's world pairs champion Phyllis Nolan stormed back from 5-10 down to edge out Israel's Renee Kusman 12-11 in the triples. Margaret Johnston, Nolan's world pairs partner, skippered Muriel Wilkinson to a mighty 25-12 win over Israel's Shirley Kantor and Arlene Rubin in the pairs.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Ross pounced on the run-in for a vital Irish victory against England. Trailing world singles semi-finalist Greg Harlow 14-18, Ross scored two trebles and a single to win 21-18.

Gary McCloy, who helped Ireland win the European outdoor title in Guernsey in September, also staged a late show, scoring a last-end double to beat Guernsey's Gary Pitschou and Paul Ingrouille 18-17.

After five sessions, Ireland led with 18 points ahead of England 12 points, Wales (10 points) and Jersey (10 points).

European Indoor Team Championships (in Jersey): Women - Pairs fourth round: Ireland (M Wilkinson and M Johnston) bt Israel (S Kantor and A Rubin) 25-12. Triples fourth round: Ireland (I Bell, D Baird and P Nolan) bt Israel (N Fix, T Kamzel and R Kusman) 12-11. Men - Pairs fifth round: Ireland (R Battersby and G McCloy) bt Guernsey (G Pitschou and P Ingrouille) 18-17; Triples fifth round: Ireland (I McClure, B Thompson, J Ross) bt England (M Bantock, M King and G Harlow) 21-18.