HOLGATE WMC lifted the York Amateur Bowls Association League first division crown with two games to spare after whitewashing Haxby Road 8-0 in their final fixture.

Traffic problems on Monday meant a number of teams played short or started late, with Holgate WMC being two players down as they travelled to Clarence Gardens.

Two rinks played short hence having a quarter taken off, but they quickly took control of the game.

Dale Phillips skipped the last rink to finish and, having moved half a point in front on the penultimate end, secured a two to give WMC maximum points with an 8-0 victory.

RI Corinthians consolidated second place with an impressive 8-0 result over Selby, who also struggled with the traffic, the game starting late.

Dunnington beat RI Amateurs 7-1 and Rowntree won 7-1 at Dringhouses, while Shipton won 7-1 at Poppleton in the battle between the bottom two.

Last Wednesday, Holgate WMC's postponed fixture gave RI Corinthians chance to close the gap and they did so with a 7-1 win at Rowntree - albeit ultimately in vain.

There were whitewashes that night for Dringhouses, Clifton and Shipton, while RI Amateurs bounced back to winning ways with a 70-42.75 aggregate score against Dringhouses. Selby also overturned Clifton 8-0 and Bootham won by the same margin at Shipton.

Division two leaders Hull Road Park moved closer to the title with an 8-0 victory over Stamford Bridge.

However, they also had a bye in the next round of fixtures and second-placed Osbaldwick were able to apply pressure by beating Minster 6-2 having also whitewashed Harrogate 8-0.

Poppleton Road WMC beat Minster 8-0 and Retreat 7-1, while Scarcroft beat struggling West Park 6-2 and Poppleton defeated Copmanthorpe 7-1.

Harrogate returned to winning ways with a 6.5-1.5 victory over Poppleton, as did Copmanthorpe with a 6-2 win over Scarcroft, and West Park with a solid win at Stamford Bridge.

YABA competitions come to a close on Sunday with the finals day at York RI on Ashton Lane.