BOOTHAM'S Barry Rankin lifted the York Conservative Clubs Snooker League's Scruton Cup after coming from behind to beat Acomb's Mick Borg 3-1 in the final at Heworth Club.

Borg started well in the best-of-five frames contest, restricting Rankin to few chances before clinching the opener with a 31 break.

The next frame was almost a mirror image of the first, Rankin taking it with a 31 break.

Rankin had now found his touch and made it 2-1 as good safety play eventually forced Borg into an error, the Bootham man taking the frame with a 32 break.

The fourth frame was nip and tuck until Borg, one point behind, missed the yellow, leaving Rankin the chance to take yellow to blue for a 15-point lead with only pink and black remaining.

Borg tried to play a very fine touch on the pink but missed altogether and conceded the frame and match.

The cup was sponsored by Quickslide Windows and Adrian Barraclough presented the prizes on the company's behalf. The referee was Richard Lillie.

Borg had some consolation as he won the highest break award with the 74 he had made in a previous round.

Meanwhile, the battle for the league championship is hotting up.

Fulford 'B' are top after a 5-2 win over Heworth 'A', sitting one point ahead of Fulford 'A', who pipped Acomb 'A' 4-3 after a deciding frame.

Both Fulford teams have played 14 matches, with two to play.

Acomb 'A' are two points behind the leaders but have three games to play. Off-form Bootham 'A' are two points further back, also with three to play.

Fulford 'B's winners were Phil Cooke, Dean Smith, Dave Coggan and Fabian Sueesse, with a walkover completing their win. Heworth's replies came from Keith Watkinson and Steve Burdett.

Fulford 'A' went 2-0 up against Acomb 'A' as Wayne Puleston beat Borg and Dollin Mercer beat Lillie.

Acomb levelled as Keith Thornhill edged Sam England on the black and Dan Potter beat Sam Parkinson.

Pete Dunmore restored Fulford's advantage by beating Nick Marchant, but Paul Holmes levelled by defeating Alan Reed.

A tense decider saw Fulford's Tom Lewis get the better of Phil Carlton.

Bootham 'A' had been in pole position but have now lost the last three matches, the latest being 4-3 to Malton.

Alan Sherry made a 24 break in defeating Jeff Brown, Dominic Spiteri beat John Suchecki, and Dan Pawson beat Andy Wynn to put Malton 3-0 up.

Victories for Colin Robinson over Steve Beal, Tim Fillingham over Phil Hart on the black, and Rankin (24 break) against Roger Ward levelled the match. But Chris Atkinson defeated Stuart Martel in the last frame to give Malton the match.

Heworth 'B' enjoyed a 6-1 win over Bootham 'B', taking the first six frames through Andy Ogley, Ian Strickland, Andy Hurley, John Sherlock, Andi Ireland and Pete Henderson, before Paul Mahoney got a consolation.

The Player of the Year Cup looks like going to the wire. Tom Lewis (Fulford 'A') and Paul Mahoney (Bootham 'B') lead the way with 11 wins, followed by Sam England (Fulford 'A') and Phil Cooke (Fulford 'B') on 10.

The Pasema Highest Break Award is currently going to Neil Wood (Heworth 'A') with his run of 73.