THE race for the York Conservative Clubs Carlsberg UK Snooker League took a few twists as the top two both lost.

Acomb 'A' stayed at the summit despite losing a cracker 4-3 to Heworth 'B' on a re-spotted black in a final frame decider.

Dave Beattie beat Richard Lillie and Paul Rivis beat Roland Cox to put Heworth 2-0 up, but victories for Nick Marchant over Ian Strickland and Paul Holmes against John Sherlock levelled the match.

A well-fought frame then saw Andi Ireland (25 break) beat Jon Milner (28 break) to put Bootham back in front and, although Phil Carlton beat Pete Henderson to tie things up again, Heworth captain Simon Whiteley defeated Mick Borg on a re-spotted black to give them the match.

Second-placed Bootham 'A' could not benefit, though, as they fell 4-3 to Fulford 'A', who boosted their own title hopes.

Bootham's Tim Fillingham won a hard-fought opener against Tom Wilson, but Fulford took the next three frames as Tom Lewis (22 break) beat Andy Wynn, Sam Parkinson (24 break) saw off Colin Robinson, and Sam England superbly came from 13 points down with the last two colours left to win.

He took the pink and then produced the shot of the match by potting the black hard up on the cushion between middle and bottom pocket. He then took the re-spotted black for victory.

In another cracking frame, Fulford's Dollin Mercer made a 23 break to go 68-1 up but Barry Rankin produced a 36 break and followed up in other good visits to run out a deserved winner and cut the gap to 3-2.

Alan Reed sealed Fulford's victory when making his handicap tell in defeating Jeff Brown, before Stuart Martel won the final frame for Bootham, beating Glen Mountain.

Fulford 'B' beat Bootham 'B' 4-3 after taking the first three frames through Tristan Owen, Fabian Sueess and Dave Coggan. Matt Smith and Paul Mahoney hit back but Phil Cook defeated Paul Powell to clinch the match for Fulford, before Andy Proud beat Lee Elvridge for a Bootham consolation.

Malton were a player short but Acomb 'B' could not capitalise, with only Andy Morgan adding to their free frame.

Alan Sherry (26 break) started the ball rolling for Malton, then wins for Steve Pawson, Dan Pawson, Phil Hart and Chris Atkinson gave them a 5-2 win.