THREE clubs are tied at the top after the latest results, the biggest of which was Volunteers' 2-1 win at leaders Hounds.

Lee Bartlett's precise header gave the visitors a first half lead. James Bonarius added a second in the second period and after Hounds halved the deficit with ten minutes remaining, Volunteers defended resolutely to take all three points.

Nestl Rowntree kept up their championship challenge with an 11-1 conquest of Pack of Cards. James (5), Wain (4), Kehoe and Dickenson were their scorers.

Goodwin, Bagley and Eeles got the goals as Pocklington added to Acomb WMC's woes with a 3-1 win.

New Earswick are also in trouble after they perished 4-2 to Severus SC.

Shocks aplenty in division two, where bottom club Derwent Arms travelled to second-placed Derwent United and came away with a fine 3-2 victory, courtesy of two well-taken goals from Steve Jackson and one from James Luck. Allen netted both United replies.

A superb performance from Blacksmiths Arms saw Carlton, Griffin, Whalen, Heels and Robinson share the plunder in a 5-1 win at leaders Thorpe United.

That brace of shock results opened the door for Selby Olympia WMC and they duly kept up the pressure with a 4-1 triumph over Shipton, Chris Harkin scoring twice.

Wray and Dalby netted two goals apiece as Acomb SC won 5-1 at FC Magnet, while another pair of brace aces were Jarvis and Henderson in The Mount's 5-2 success at Fulford Bay.

In division three York Nomads took over top spot after coming from a goal down to record a 5-1 win over Black Bull.

Wigginton GH went one better, hitting six without reply against Copmanthorpe to move ominously into third position.

Rank and Small both scored hat-tricks as Bridge Colts caned Hemingbrough 7-0, while Samson showed even greater scoring strength to post an 8-0 win over Beeswing - Allison netting five.

Nestl Flag's loss of form continued as they went down to a 2-1 home defeat to Bishopthorpe.

David Chapman was the ace in the pack for Fulford, scoring all four goals as the visitors won the big game in division four 4-2 at Burnholme SC.

Leaders Opticare were made to work hard for their 2-1 win at bottom club Old Grey Mare, Shepherd and Cross the scorers.

Joe Gaughan scored four as Volunteer Reserves beat Wilberfoss 5-1, while Inland Revenue turned a 2-0 half-time deficit into a 3-2 victory at Boy and Barrel with Alister Burn scoring twice.

At the top of division five, goals from Surgenor and Durbin underpinned Heslington's 2-0 win over Kings Arms to strengthen their championship challenge.

Heworth moved into second spot with a 3-2 win over Barlby, while Abell, Dunn and Croad kept Hambleton's promotion hopes alive with a 3-2 win at Enterprise.

Paine scored twice as Northern Wall shared six goals with The Plough. Also deadlocked were Wanderers and CPP after a 2-2 draw.

Burton Stone claimed their first league win of the season 3-1 at Bootham Tavern. Smith opened the scoring for Tavern before Clarke equalised. Dale Phillips gave Stone the lead before the break and John Lansbury sealed the win with a 20-yard free-kick in the second period.

Selby Olympia Reserves continued their winning ways with a 5-1 victory at Skelton in division six.

Ratcliffe (3) and Oxtoby (2) were the main marksmen as Gipsy Moth soared to a 9-0 victory at Pocklington Rangers.

Watson and Peach scored the goals as Black Swan beat Edinburgh Arms 2-0 to remain third.

Neil Yeowart netted a hat-trick as F1 Racing made it three wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over Bay Horse (Tad).

Updated: 09:44 Friday, February 28, 2003