HOLGATE WMC dodged the stormy weather to close the gap on leaders Holgate to 5.5 points in division one of the York Amateur Bowling Association League.

A host of games were rained off, but Holgate WMC won 6-2 at Dringhouses as they stepped up their challenge approaching the business end of the season.

At the other end of the table, Rowntree suffered a 6.5-1.5 home defeat at the hands of Dunnington, a result which sees them relegated, and eases the worries of Dunnington in a tight battle to avoid the remaining relegation spot.

Hull Road Park’s 7-1 home loss to RI Amateurs leaves them a point ahead of Haxby Road, but Haxby Road have two games in hand. RI Amateurs moved ahead of Selby into third.

In division two, Shipton beat West Park 7-1 at home to move within 0.5 point of second-placed RI Corinthians, who lost 6-2 at home to Bootham.

Shipton have games in hand, making them favourites to join Wigginton in the promotion places.

Scarcroft reclaimed top spot in division three with a resounding 8-0 home victory over Retreat.

The only other game to survive the weather saw a handsome 8-0 home win for Osbaldwick over bottom club University.

In the Williamson Cup semi-finals, RI Amateurs won 94-73 against Hull Road Park at West Park, and they were joined in next week’s final by Holgate, who had an emphatic 96-58 win over Haxby Road at Railway Institute.

The semi-finals of the Freedom and Fellowship Cup saw Selby overcome Scarcroft 94-59 at The Retreat in a game that at times was not as easy as the scoreline suggests.

Division three side Poppleton defeated holders Harrogate by a single shot, 76-75, in a tense encounter at West Park.

The Williamson Cup final will be held at Dunnington, and the Freedom and Fellowship Cup final will be staged at Railway Institute on Monday, both 7pm start.

* Clarence and Burton Lane continue to head the York C&IU Bowls Evening League table, taking maximum points from their league games against South Bank and Poppleton Road respectively.

After their recent wins, Holgate and South Bank are joint top of the Afternoon League table.

South Bank have a game in hand, although that is against third-placed Burton Lane 'A' and the result could have a significant effect on the destiny of the title.