REIGNING champions Malton ‘A’ are making a late charge to retain their crown after two wins in a week in the York Conservative Clubs’ Carlsberg UK Snooker League.

The Ryedale side beat Fulford ‘B’ 4-3 and then Heworth ‘A’ 7-0 to close the gap to leaders Acomb ‘A’ to three points with two matches remaining.

The top two meet tonight at Acomb in a potential title decider.

Malton hit back from 2-0 down to beat Fulford ‘B’.

Andy Ogley maintained his good form by defeating Simon Weatherhill and then Bob Smith beat Steve Pawson.

Dan Pawson, Steve Beal and Roger Ward (50 break) hit back for Malton with wins over Dean Smith, Andy Hurley and Jim Rollinson.

Arthur Pegden levelled the match, but Malton captain Phil Hart won the match with a victory over Nigel Smith.

The second match saw Malton whitewash Heworth ‘B’.

Dominic Spiteri, Weatherill (49 break), Dan Pawson, Lee Taylor (44 break), Beal, Ward and Hart (46 break) proved too strong for the home team.

Acomb ‘A’ had a tough match against second-placed Bootham ‘B’, eventually losing 4-3 to the visitors.

Paul Scorfield beat Acomb captain Richard Lillie with the aid of a 22 clearance, but Trevor Ventress levelled the match by beating Ian Robinson.

Keith Thornhill looked poised to put Acomb 2-1 up but missed a mid-range black, leaving Matt Smith a simple chance to win.

Paul Mahoney put Bootham further ahead as he beat Paul Holmes, but Adrian Barraclough came back from a big handicap deficit to pip Paul Powell.

The last two frames were shared as Bootham’s Andy Proud defeated Phil Carlton, then Acomb’s Nick Marchant won despite Lionel Barnes looking in control of the frame with pink and black left.

Bootham ‘A’ put paid to any slim hopes Heworth ‘A’ had of challenging for the title with a 4-3 victory.

Bootham got off to a great start, winning the first four frames as Rob Barron beat Keith Lawrence, Mark Darley defeated Gary Douglas, Barry Rankin was successful against Kevin Gall and Colin Robinson got home as an unfortunate Nick Dyson went in off the black.

Heworth then took the remaining three frames as Mark Winskill beat Steve Carroll, Steve Burdett beat Tim Fillingham with an unfinished clearance of 37, then Jordan Worobec (breaks of 32 and 20) defeated Stuart Martel.

Fulford ‘B’ lost 4-3 to in-form visitors Acomb ‘B’.

Fulford’s Ogley lost the opening frame to Kevin Ventress but Pegden hit back with a 30 break to beat John Ashwell.

The next four frames were shared out as Acomb’s Brian Henry and S Rodwell won, with Fulford’s Rollinson and Dean Smith, but Andy Stone defeated Bob Smith to give Acomb victory.

The Kutters and Shannons Team Cup final, between Malton ‘A’ and Bootham ‘B’, and presentation night will be held at Acomb on Wednesday, April 23, from 7.30pm.