LEADERS Selby have opened up a gap at the top of division one of the York Amateur Bowling Association after a thumping 8-0 victory at struggling Holgate WMC.

Haxby Road went above their opponents after a good 7-1 win at Dunnington, while Wigginton did their hopes of another season in Division 1 no harm with a 7-1 victory away to Shipton, who are being left behind a little at the bottom.

In division two, RI Corinthians continue to set the pace as they push hard for a return to the top flight. They won 6-2 at West Park.

Dringhouses move second after a crushing 8-0 home win over Harrogate. Osbaldwick climbed off bottom spot after a 7-1 victory over fellow strugglers Rowntree.

The top clubs were not in action in division three this week, allowing Poppleton to close the gap with a 6-2 home victory over Retreat.

The big movers are Clifton following an 8-0 drubbing of luckless bottom club Minster.

They have only lost one game and have several games in hand on the leaders.

In the York C&IU evening league, Railway Institute brought Holgate’s run of six consecutive wins to an end with a fine victory but Holgate went down fighting.

Alan Smith played some superb draw shots to help his rink take two points against RI’s Mal Bulmer but Tony Thornton’s rink came out on top despite the efforts of John Crowe and his Holgate skip Pete Jackson.

RI’s Geoff Eagles steered his rink to a comfortable win with some fine bowling against Alan Phillips.

Railway Institute’s win moves them into third place, one point above Burton Lane who were surprisingly beaten by St Clements 6-2.