ACOMB 'A' had a week off in the York Conservative Clubs Carlsberg UK Snooker League and were duly joined at the summit by Fulford 'A' and Fulford 'B'.

Bootham 'A' and 'B' are only two points behind, too, as the title race hots up, though Acomb 'A' remain favourites as they have a game in hand over both Fulford teams.

Fulford 'A' gained a hard-fought 4-3 win over Heworth 'B'.

Wayne Puleston and Dollin Mercer beat Martin Johnson and Andy Ogley (29 break) respectively, but Heworth hit back as Andy Hurley beat Tom Wilson and John Sherlock, using good safety play, stopped Sam England's run of victories.

Jamie Husband potted well in beating Heworth's Carl De Pasquale but Pete Henderson levelled the match as he beat Alan Reed.

Tom Lewis secured Fulford's victory by beating Simon Whiteley.

Fulford 'B' jumped up the table with a 6-1 defeat of Malton.

Captain Bob Smith beat Alan Sherry, Dean Smith beat Steve Pawson, Lee Elvridge defeated Dan Pawson, Phil Cook beat Roger Ward and Tristan Owen beat Dominic Spiteri to make it 5-0.

Chris Atkinson got Malton on the board as he beat Fabian Sueesse, but Mohammed got the better of Phil Hart to complete a fine team show.

Bootham 'A' had been only two points behind Acomb 'A' in the table with a game in hand but crashed 6-1 to Bootham 'B'.

Lionel Barnes beat Steve Cain and captain Ian Robinson doubled the black to see off Rob Barron.

Another black-ball finish went the 'B' team's way as Andy Proud pipped Jeff Brown (31 break).

Chris Thompson, Paul Powell and Paul Mahoney made it 6-0, beating Tim Fillingham, Colin Robinson and Barry Rankin respectively. Stuart Martel beat Matt Smith to prevent the whitewash.

Good breaks were highlights as Heworth 'A' edged Acomb 'B' 4-3.

They went 3-1 up as John Dowd beat Andy Morgan, Kevin Gall (32 break) beat Chris Nicholson and Gary Douglas (40 break) overcome Brian Henry on the black.

Jon Milner had notched the reply, beating Neil Wood, and Kevin Ventress pulled another back when beating Keith Watkinson. But Clive Whyte made it 4-2, beating Steve Rodgers, before Acomb's Andy Stone won the final frame against Steve Burdett.

Fulford 'A' duo Sam England and Tom Lewis and Bootham 'A's Paul Mahoney head of the Player of the Year leaderboard with 10 wins from 13.