CLARENCE took maximum points from Tramways to regain top spot in the York C&IU Evening League.

Holgate beat Acomb 6-2 and lie five points in arrears but still with a game in hand. Previous leaders Railway Institute drop to third, two points further back, after a bye week.

In the Afternoon League, only two teams, both on 14 points, now have the chance to be champions.

Acomb 'A' won their final match against St Clements 'B' while Tramways were unable to raise a side and conceded their game to Holgate 'B'.

The Holgate team have one game to play against Burton Lane and should they win or draw they will be champions with Acomb 'A' runners-up.

However, Burton Lane, who drew with Holgate 'A' to deny them the chance of the title, could yet cause a further upset. Should they win, a play-off between Acomb 'A' and Holgate 'B' will be necessary to decide the championship.

Meanwhile, Burton Lane 'B' beat Clarence 'B' 21-11 in the final to win the Heineken UK Ltd-sponsored John Smith's Cup.

Burton Lane went into an early lead with four shots on the fourth end but Clarence won the next three ends to nose 7-6 in front. Clarence remained one shot to the good by the 14th before Burton Lane scored a four and then a match-winning seven, after which Clarence conceded defeat.

Tramways retained the Plate after pipping Holgate 'C' 17-15 in the final.

Tramways were staring down the barrel at 9-1 down at the fifth end but they turned the tables by winning the next five ends to take a one-shot lead.

Holgate retaliated, winning four of the next five, but Tramways had the last word winning the last three to edge victory.

Competition finals take place at Railway Institute green, Ashton Lane, in the next few weeks.

Clarence ace Gary Bunce goes for a double. He faces Paul Craven (Acomb) in the singles on Monday at 6.30pm and joins John Stroughair in the Four Woods Pairs final against Peter Jackson and Alan Phillips (Holgate) on Friday, August 26.

The same night sees the Veterans Pairs final between Steve Lea and Brian Birch (Holgate) and Dave Preece and Mal Bulmer (Railway Institute).

Meanwhile, Wigginton beat Bishopthorpe 54-41 to reach the Tockwith Cup final thanks to the winning rinks of Colin Ellis (27-10) and Tony Baker (18-12).

They will meet Shipton or Tockwith on Sunday, August 21.

Wiggy finished their Tockwith League campaign with a 48-46 loss at Dunnington but secured three points from Colin Ellis' winning rink and Gary Stockton's draw to secure their division one status.

Pickering beat Wigginton 'B' 82-59 in the Ryedale Veteran's Sundella Cup semi-final.

In the York Veterans' League, Dave Imeson's Wigginton 'B' team were caught in the final stages away to Dunnington 'B' to lose 21-16 but remain top of division one.