The prolonged wet weather is beginning to pose a serious problem for many clubs in York and District Leeper Hare League as pitches are becoming mud baths.

Several teams have over-committed themselves to cup competitions and are now facing a serious backlog of league fixtures, with mid-week evening games already scheduled to complete their season.

The prospect is becoming increasingly bleak as the traditionally bad weather months of January and February have still to come.

Only 16 of the scheduled games last weekend, including only two in the Premier Division survived the latest rainfall and many were played on heavy muddy pitches.

In the Premier Division, York Sugar got back into winning ways with a 3-2 victory at home to Old Malton.

York Sugar had the better of the first half, taking the lead when Craig McShane scored with a cracking 25 yard shot from a direct free kick.

Sugar went further ahead with two well taken goals. Jamie Hewitson made a strong run down the left and sent over a perfect cross for Mike Gibson to net with ease. Neil Ducey snapped up his chance for goal number three.

Old Malton played with more commitment in the second half and Phil Hill fired home got them.

The Sugarmen's defence was put under pressure, with Neil Rankeiler and Mark Hirst playing brilliantly. Simon Cook got Old Malton's second goal and the last five minutes were packed with goalmouth incidents and near misses.

Bishopthorpe's match at home to Pocklington was abandoned after 65 minutes with the score 1-1.

A Pocklington player sufffered a serious injury and an ambulance was called. Because of the delay, the light became worse and referee Pete Hartley abandoned the game.

The visitors had been first to attack, bringing out a fine save from 'keeper Andy Henk.

The Bishops, with good passing, gave Joe Garnham a chance to score and his shot narrowly missed the upright.

Pocklington were dangerous on the break and Rich Millett put them into the lead.

Both defences were constantly under pressure, with the home side creating more chances and also hitting the woodwork.

The Bishops drew level when awarded a penalty, which was ably converted by Allinson.

Mike Murr and 16-year-old Graham Whitehead were prominent for Pocklington.

With their nearest rivals inactive, St John's College moved to the top of Division One with a 3-1 home win over Fulford United.

Prolific marksman Andy Battersby gave the Students a first half lead and when Dave Houldridge levelled the scores with eight minutes remaining it looked as though Fulford had salvaged a point.

Battersby had other ideas and he restored the Students' lead with an unstoppable 30-yard shot.

Jim Middleditch then killed off a stunned Fulford team when he added the third goal.

Wigginton Black Horse continued their recent improved form with a fine win at Civil Service. Adam Wash, Antony Luck (2) and Jamie Seal (2) netted their goals and the home side could only manage a consolation via the boot of Will Dunnitt in the last minute.

Nestle Rowntree are also showing much improved form this season and achieved a creditable home victory over Malton Bacon Factory courtesy of a Steve Jones penalty and a strike from Steve Blake.

South Bank bounced back from last week's drubbing at Thorpe Willoughby to hand out similar treatment to Post Office.

Nik Shaw opened their account with two goals; Graham Bootland converted a penalty to make it three and Shaw then had a shot deflected past the Post Office keeper for the fourth.

Mark Belleh then scored the fifth with a tremendous solo effort as he left defenders trailing in his wake to wrap up a 5 -0 win.

In Division Two, Heslington were denied top place as they let complacency creep into their game and lost 5-0 to visitors Heworth, who showed more determination.

Heslington lost their goalkeeper with a rib injury at half time and they were caught out in the first minute of the second half when Heworth won a corner and Dave Bonner's shot was fumbled into his own net by the luckless stand in keeper.

Copmanthorpe switched their home game to Knavesmire and were rewarded with a win over Norton. Steve Illing (2) and John Langley were Copmanthorpe's marksmen. Norton pulled one back in the 80th minute direct from a corner kick.

Huby had a fine derby win at Easingwold, which moves them up to third in the table, with Tony Richardson, Andrew Metcalfe and John Durrant on the score sheet.

Grasshoppers 82, although beaten 3-2 away to Selby RSSC, were unlucky not to claim their second point of the season in Division Three.

The home side went two up through Darren Kelly but an own goal by Selby's Tony Johnson and a Rob Murphy strike brought the scores level by half time.

After the break Kelly completed his hat-trick and Tony Johnson then redeemed himself by pulling off a goal line clearance to deny Grasshoppers a share of the points.

Moor Lane revelled in the mud bath at Oaklands to defeat LNER Builders 7 - 2 with goals from Andrew Kenyon (3), Paul Jones, Nick Smith, Charlie Goodwin and Grant McLean. Mark Rollinson and Tudor Carrington netted the Builders goals.