Holgate maintained their unbeaten record in the Persimmon Homes/Ideal Standard Bowls League after a close encounter with nearest challengers Haxby Road.

In the early stages, Mick Parker's rink trailed Frank Turner's Haxby Road four by 15 shots, but by the end of the game Parker had reduced the deficit to only one shot, losing 25-26.

The aggregate was level as the last end was being played and with the head against him, Holgate's Lancashire county skip Alan Maine produced a match winner to give the four points to Holgate.

A serious challenger to Holgate is difficult to find as most of the trailing clubs have already lost three games.

A waterlogged Museum Gardens green caused the cancellations of the Minster-Copmanthorpe game and allowed Poppleton to go six points clear of Copmanthorpe at the top of division two.

Unbeaten records keep Heworth Conservatives and Stewart clear at the top of division three.

The Bert Keech Two-wood Singles competition takes place on Sunday, June 9. Entries will be accepted up to the draw taking place at 1.30pm.

Williamson Cup first round (to be played Wednesday, June 5): Poppleton v Shipton, University v Haxby Road, Vickers v Scarcroft, Dunnington 'A' v West Park, Holgate v Tockwith, Heworth Cons v Stewart, Osbaldwick v Ainsty, Wetherby v Hull Road Park, Copmanthorpe v Poppleton Road WMC, Holgate WMC v Bootham, Fulford Cons v Dunnington 'B', Bert Keech v Clifton, City Amateurs v Acomb, RI Amateurs v Nestl Rowntree, Retreat v Bishopthorpe, Harrogate v Burnholme, Dringhouses v Minster, Stamford Bridge v RI Corinthians.

Updated: 12:07 Thursday, May 30, 2002