HOLGATE WMC took advantage of Selby’s recent free week by opening up a gap at the top of the York Amateur Bowling Association League table thanks to a 7-1 win over Clifton.

RI Amateurs rose to second with a similar victory over Bootham at Ashton Lane.

Dunnington suffered a heavy home defeat to Dringhouses by the same scoreline, while Haxby Road continued their good form with a 6-2 victory over RI Corinthians.

Rowntree had the result of the night, though, with an 8-0 whitewash of Shipton.

The following round of fixtures had a similar picture, with the top three all winning.

Holgate WMC had their first 8-0 victory of the season, against RI Corinthians.

Gary Lewington's rink beat Mal Bulmer, Alan Smith beat Peter Godwin, and Steve Lea and Peter Jackson recorded wins over Tony Thornton and Tex Stevens.

RI Amateurs had a solid 7-1 victory over Clifton, with Tony Cox having the biggest winning margin over Graham Herridge - 36-6.

Selby had a comfortable 7-1 win over rock-bottom Shipton, likewise Haxby Road over Dringhouses, the aggregate scores being 112-58.

Rowntree recorded the second whitewash of the night against hosts Bootham.

Division two leaders Stamford Bridge suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat to Poppleton before scraping a 5.5-2.5 victory in their next game against Scarcroft, winning the aggregate by one shot.

Copmanthorpe secured two good wins, 6-2 at Retreat and 7-1 at home to Poppleton Road WMC.

West Park, on a roll, moved into mid-table with a 7-1 win over Poppleton Road WMC and a 6.5-1.5 victory over Osbaldwick.

Minster whitewashed Harrogate, who recovered from that shock to record a 7-1 win over Retreat.

Hull Road Park returned to action with a 7-1 home win against Poppleton.

Due to the bad weather, only a few games were completed in the opening round of the Williamson Cup.

One of them saw division two side Poppleton put up a great fight at Ashton Lane against RI Amateurs.

The high-flying division one outfit were 15 shots up after 15 ends, but Poppleton fought back to only narrowly miss out 76-72.

Stamford Bridge also flew the flag for division two with a 63-55 win over division one side Dringhouses.

In an all-division one clash, Dunnington beat Rowntree 66-40. Clifton were unable to field 12 players so conceded their game against Haxby Road.

The ties between Minster and Holgate WMC, Bootham and Retreat, West Park and RI Corinthians, Hull Road Park and Harrogate, and Scarcroft and Poppleton Road WMC were all off.

Meanwhile, Clarence and Holgate took maximum points from their latest games to leapfrog Railway Institute to the top of the York C&IU Evening League table, both on 42 points.

RI, who had their bye week, are now six points adrift, with all three teams having played six games.

Burton Lane conceded their game to Poppleton Road which saw the latter go fourth albeit with their bye week to come.