Haxby United have gained promotion to the first division of the York Sunday Afternoon League after a decision not to extend the season further.

League officials met at the Civil Service Club to discuss the possibility of playing outstanding fixtures in a league programme which had been decimated by weather and the foot and mouth crisis.

With a total of eight league matches having not been fulfilled, the main problem arose in the second division, where no fewer than five fixtures were outstanding.

Rawcliffe United of Goole had two outstanding games, one against bottom club CB United and one against second place Haxby United, which, had the Goole outfit collected maximum points, would have placed them in the runners-up spot behind champions Fossway.

However, after hearing the explanations of both Haxby and Rawcliffe, the management committee decided that, due largely to Rawcliffe's inability to raise a side, the present league tables would stand.

This decision meant that Haxby United lifted the second division runners-up shield on goal difference from College of Law, with Rawcliffe eventually ending up in fourth place.

CB, who had a total of three games to play and could have avoided relegation had they won them, will now be playing in the third division next season after finishing bottom.

The other remaining outstanding fixtures have no bearing on league positions and the league tables remain as they were on May 13, the last official day of the season.

Haxby will be presented with their trophy at the annual meeting on Monday, June 18, at the Civil Club, Boroughbridge Road, Acomb, York.

With three new teams applying to join the league for next season there is still a further three vacancies to fill and full details can be obtained by contacting John Lynch on York 707522.

Updated: 12:10 Friday, May 25, 2001