THE top two in the York Amateur Bowls League went head-to-head with RI Corinthians defeating leaders Holgate WMC 7-1.

Mal Bulmer and Tony Thornton were among the winners, while Peter Jackson salvaged a point for the hosts.

That gave Selby the chance to close the gap on the leaders when they hosted second-bottom Shipton,

In a close contest it was Shipton who overturned the form book, winning two rinks and drawing a third, and taking the aggregate score by a quarter of a shot 60-60.25 to gain a 6.5-1.5 victory.

At Clarence Gardens, Haxby Road hosted Dringhouses and won 6-2, while RI Amateurs had a solid 7-1 home win over Clifton. Rowntree had a close encounter with Bootham but came out on top 5-3.

In division two, Hull Road Park took further control at the top with a comfortable 7-1 success over Poppleton.

Second-placed Osbaldwick kept tabs on the leaders with a 6-2 home win over West Park, while Harrogate took a 7-1 away win at Retreat. Scarcroft gained their sixth victory of the campaign with a 7-1 triumph over Stamford Bridge.

Monday's action saw Holgate bounce back to winning ways with an 8-0 whitewash of an under-strength Dringhouses side.

Selby’s challenge seems to be faltering after a 6-2 away defeat to Bootham, although they still have two games in hand on the top two.

RI Corinthians' great form continued as they beat neighbours RI Amateurs 8-0. That leaves them 18.5 points behind the leaders with both teams having three games to play.

Rowntree consolidated their mid-table position with a 7-1 victory over Clifton, while Dunnington had a close call against Haxby Road – winning 6-2 with only one shot in the aggregate score.

Hull Road Park continued to dominate with a 6.5-1.5 win over Scarcroft, and Osbaldwick won 7-1 victory against Copmanthorpe.

Minster grabbed their sixth victory of the season – a 6-2 win at home to Retreat – while West Park suffered a 7-1 defeat at home to Poppleton.

* IN THE York C&IU Bowls League Evening League, the league championship is up for grabs as only two points separate the top three teams with third-placed Holgate having a game in hand over Clarence and Railway Institute

Holgate A were denied the Afternoon League championship when they lost their game in hand against St Clements, who are now tied with Railway Institute and the two Holgate teams on ten points at the top. A play-off to decide the league champions and the runners-up will be arranged.

The Heineken UK Ltd Sponsored John Smith's Triples Competition came to a climax with the cup final between Railway Institute A and Holgate B.

An extra end was required to separate the rivals, with Railway triumphant by one shot to take the trophy.

The Plate Final saw Tramways hold their nerve to win three of the last four ends, picking up five shots in the process, to overcome Acomb 15-13.