THE contest for automatic promotion from level two in the Tyke Petroleum Men’s League is hotting up.

Starbeck have stolen top spot from Knaresborough in division three, after a solid win at home to Wigginton 2. Paul Evison and Tom Collyer starred for Beck with 2½-23.

Leaders Bubwith have thrown down the gauntlet to Dunnington in division two, taking 23½ points from their last two matches.

The only change to the team held at home on the opening day by Sutton-on-Derwent was Mark Harris, as Bubwith thrashed their hosts in the return match. Harris and captain Rob Jackson bagged 3-26.

Dunnington, with two matches in hand over the leaders, trail by 24 points.

Bubwith followed up with a whitewash at home to Rowntee Park 2, as Jon Longthorpe and Jon Clay claimed the day's top score of 3-30.

Rivals Dunnington faltered at Boston Spa as their hosts fought grittily for 4½ points. Spa’s Matt Snellin and Pete Smith were unbeatable, drawing all three rubbers.

Harlow claimed their third win in a row as American import Ted Ansley debuted impressively with Steve Shipley for a maximum and 24 games.

York climbed to third in division one as Steve Smith played his first men’s match this year, partnering John Moore to 3-25 at second-placed Wigginton.

Paul Whurr and captain Pete Goodall snatched 3-22, harvesting an impressive nine points for York from just 57 games won.

Dark horses Appleton Roebuck are second in division four after their sixth successive win, dropping just a half-point at home to Bishopthorpe. Buck's Steve Arnold hit 3-27 with partner Ed Ziegler.

Bish consoled themselves by walloping strugglers Stamford Bridge 2 as James Field and Mick Miller maxed for 26 games.

Riccall claimed their first win this year, although opponents York 3 swiped an impressive 4½ points - almost the maximum possible from the 47 games they won.

Wetherby 2 pushed up to second in division five after a crushing home defeat of Boston Spa 2. Paul Hill and Stuart Robinson, with 3-26, were one of three Wetherby pairs to score a maximum.

Boston Spa 2 claimed five points from fellow division five strugglers Cliffe.

Oli Brooke and Joel Hancox were in cracking form for Cliffe with 3-28 in a narrow win.

Neil Hawkins and Matt Pearson's 2½-21 was not enough for Alne & Tollerton to win at Rufforth.

Appleton Roebuck 2 hit the front in their inaugural season after an impressive result at Knaresborough 2 in division six.

Richard Barwick and David Luscombe ended unbeaten with 2-19 for the new leaders.

Wigginton 4 edged to their first win of the season as Phil Anderson and Ralph Meijer battled to 2½-23 against Bishopthorpe 2.

Cawood claimed a 9-3 win at David Lloyd 3, despite fielding just four players. The division seven leaders won all six played rubbers, losing only 15 games in the process to take the team bonus 57-51.

Chris Cobley and Jim Tennant claimed 3-25 against Heworth 2 as Bubwith 2nds finally woke up to the possibility of promotion.

Trophy hopefuls York 4 put in a shift with two pairs unbeaten for a ten-point haul in division eight at home to Wilberfoss 2, only to see leaders Copmanthorpe 2 gifted a 12-point by Sheriff Hutton.