York’s IBC’s Yorkshire League division three team put in their best performance of the season to topple leaders Selby 96-58.

They collected 16 of the 18 points at stake and gained a top four place to qualify for the end-of-season Challenge Cup.

At home, John Birch’s side were in fine form, only dropping singles and winning the last six ends where they scored 14 shots without reply to finish 36-6 victors.

Chris Bishop’s team played catch-up for most of their game but, after scoring two two’s, they went into their last end 18-15 behind only to be outdone by dropping a single to lose 19-15.

In Selby, both York sides had the best of the opening halves of their games, both only losing four ends and seeing Eric Hodgson’s team leading 14-7 and Geoff Walker’s 12-8.

Hodgson’s team extended their lead to 18-7 before the home side came back, winning five of the last seven ends, scoring nine shots but going down by four 20-16. Against Walker’s rink, the home side won four of the last six to make the final score 25-17.

New Earswick were left disappointed after whitewashing Doncaster, winning all four rinks only to discover they had missed out on the Challenge Cup thanks to York’s 16-point haul.

Gordon Storey’s home rink lost the last six ends but had done enough after they led 24-8 to win 24-17.

Brian Birch’s team looked comfortable winners when they led 19-12 with four ends to play and only dropped a two on their last end to finish 20-19.

Away, Dave Elcock’s side had led all the way and with four to play were 19-9 ahead before dropping six shots to close on 19-15.

Graham Jones’ team trailed 10-9 after 13 ends but responded well by only losing three more to win 18-14.

The Challenge Cup will be at York IBC on Sunday, March 23 and will feature champions Scarborough, Selby, Leeds and York.

York’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the first division are on hold after they crashed 18-0 to champions Featherstone.

York now need to beat Hornsea in their last game on Saturday to have any chance of staying up.