BERT Keech won the York Amateur Bowling Association Freedom and Fellowship Cup by four shots, beating Nestl Rowntree 79-75.

The rink of Terry Marshall, Barry Green and Peter Jackson with skip Andrew Mooring won by 17 shots which covered the other losing rinks.

In division one, Holgate entertain RI Amateurs in the next league game and as only two points separate these clubs at the top, the title could be decided by this match.

At the other end of the table, Dringhouses and Nestl Rowntree were favourites for relegation, but a 7-1 win for Dringhouses over Shipton has brought all five bottom clubs back into the danger zone.

Division two leaders Stamford Bridge finished with an 8-0 defeat at Bootham which will probably cost them the title in favour of Heworth Cons, but a 16-point lead over Bootham leaves them with a good chance of promotion.

Harrogate's battle to avoid relegation was eased with an 8-0 win over fellow strugglers Poppleton Road WMC.

After leading division three for most of the season, Dunnington 'B' lost 7- to Holgate WMC, who have now gone top and require only two points from the last game to take the title.

York singles semi-finals: Tuesday, August 16 at Clarence Gardens, start 6.45pm: B Gray v G Mackie, J Dalby v A Brookes.

Consolation: P Witherwick v J Herridge, W Brookes v J Emmerson.

York triples semi-finals: Friday, August 19 at West Park, 6.15pm for 6.30pm: A Thornton v P Witherwick, D Harrison v J Stroughair.

The York pairs semi-finals will not now be played at Retreat on August 21. Alternative dates will be arranged.

:: Bowls draw

York John Smith Triples

All games to be played at West Park.

Preliminary round (August 20 at 10am): Acomb 'A' v St Clements 'A', Acomb 'B' v Burton Lane.

First round proper at 2pm.

Winners of Acomb 'A' v St Clements 'A' v Holgate (1); winners of Acomb 'B' v Burton Lane v Acomb 'C' (2)

St Clements 'B' v Poppleton Road (3)

South Bank v Railway Institute (4).

Second round (August 21, 2pm): Winners of Poppleton Road & St Clements 'B' v Acomb 'A' or St Clements 'A' or Holgate.

Winners of South Bank v Railway Institute play winners of Acomb 'B' or Burton Lane or Acomb 'C'.

Final on September 4 (10am). Plate on August 21 (10am). Final is on September 4, at 10am.

Updated: 10:01 Thursday, August 11, 2005