THE two top teams in division one of the York Veterans' Bowls League both had comfortable away wins.

Barbican beat West Park 'B' 23-11 and Holgate beat Scarcroft 24-13, while Bert Keech 'C' beat Dunnington 'C' 18-13 to remain in third spot.

Division two leaders Holgate WMC only just beat Nestl 'A' 18-17 and remain four points ahead of Wigginton 'B' and West Park 'A', who also won their matches.

In division three, leaders Poppleton 'A' lost 23-9 at home to Shipton and Bootham, with an 18-14 win against Forum 'B', took over at the top with a superior shots difference. Shipton, with four consecutive wins trail by only two points.

RI Amateurs, the division four leaders, returned to winning ways with an easy 25-9 victory over Retreat. West Park 'C' and Nestl 'C' both won and remain level in the fight for the other promotion spot. Acomb 'A' secured a shot on the final end to beat RI Corinthians 15-14.

Osbaldwick 'A' look to be heading for promotion from division five after a 24-17 win over Bishopthorpe 'A'. They are the only unbeaten team in all the league. Forum 'A' beat Stamford Bridge 'A' 22-8 to move into second place. Copmanthorpe 'A' had their first win of the season beating Dringhouses 'A' 17-15.

RI Spartans with an easy win against Fulford Cons 'A' 40-5 broke away from the four-team tie at the top of division six. Stamford Bridge 'B' drew at Vickers 15-15 and Dringhouses 'C' lost 21-17 at Osbaldwick 'C'.

Updated: 11:45 Friday, June 20, 2003