CASTLE Howard Ox took a giant leap towards their first John Smith's Ladies' League title with an outstanding Division One victory against visitors Tramways A.

The hosts were prevented from a full house by 'Ways captain Tracey Farmeary, while Ox's best came via Toni Smallwood and landlady Dawn Stamp.

Fulfordgate kept their hopes alive with a 7-2 win at Severus A.

Gate had Michelle and Muriel Britton winning and Jill Reed made it 3-0 before Davina Shannon, with a 140 and a 121, pulled one back.

Sue Clark doubled their score but a Dawn Exton success and a clean sweep in the pairs allowed Gate to take home the result.

Sharon Neads, Sarah Jackson and Marj Pearson were second-placed Burnholme's singles successes, which was matched by visitors Priory's Ellen Platt, Sallie Richardson and Clair Cooper.

Cooper then combined with Lynn Noble to edge Priory in front.

However, Jane Dobson and Claire Murphy levelled to set up a decider, with captain Pearson being joined by Lynne Willstrop to snatch victory and the match points.

Louise Warren gave hosts Leeman B a start.

However, Edinburgh captain Chris Lamb kick-started a winning surge and Emma Frankland, Julie Stables, Amanda Bevan and Anthea Jamieson sealed victory,

In Division Two, champions elect Slipper were prevented from a clean sweep in the singles by visitors Burton Stones' captain Linda Embleton.

But Doreen Johnstone, Elaine Metcalfe, Jody Hancock, Anita Adams and Ann Parkyn secured match points and they added two of the three remaining points before Embleton and Marianne Deamer doubled Stones' points.

Second-placed Severus B, still with a match in hand, were pushed hard as understrength Clockhouse took them to the wire, with Dot Sellars and Jeanette Teasdale snatching victory.

Wendy Sullivan, Becky Thompson, Alison Walker and Karen Alton gave Tramways B an advantage entering the pairs as Margaret Yeomans and Denise Pittock had given visitors Leeman A a fighting chance.

Pittock and captain then Debbie Witts narrowed the gap. However, Thompson and Georgina Clayton and Flossy Crampton and Linda Staveley gave 'Ways a 6-3 result.

Puss purred as they left Clifton with a 7-2 win, Alison Buckley sealing victory after wins from Lisa Russell, Kirsty Limbert, Margaret Forth and Jackie Young.

Alice Turgoose was the home team's individual winner and, with daughter Cris, doubled their points in the pairs.

Results – Division One: Castle Howard Ox 10 (Toni Smallwood 140, 100; Dawn Stamp 138) Tramways A 1 (Tracey Farmeary 140); Severus A 2 (Davina Shannon 140, 121) Fulfordgate 9 (Dawn Exton 117, 100; Cara Britton 2x100; Michelle Britton 135); Leeman B'3 Edinburgh 8; Burnholme 7 (Sarah Jackson 125) Priory 4 (Babs Harrison 126). Division Two: Clockhouse 4 (Laura Gatenby 110) Severus B'7 (Angie Kaya 114, 105); Golden Slipper 9 (Ann Parkyn 129) Burton Stone 2; Tramways B 8 Leeman A 3; Clifton 2 Puss 'n Boots 9.

Draw for semi-finals on Tuesday, August 29 at Tramways WMC (8pm start): 1 Golden Slipper (captain Doreen Johnstone, vice-captain Anita Adams), 2 Tramways A (Tracey Farmeary & Bev Harton), 3 Fulfordgate (Michelle Britton & Dawn Exton), 4 Marcia (Faye Hawksby & Chris Hayward).

Triples: 1 Sarah Jackson, Sharon Neads, Jane Dobson (Burnholme); 2 Linda Embleton, Sandra Pallister, Susan Barker (Burton Stone),3 Caroline Whittaker, Marj Pearson, Lynne Wilstrop (Burnholme); 4 Tracey & Lauren Farmeary, Jane Janes (Tramways).

Pairs: 1 Tracey & Lauren Farmeary (Tramways), 2 Michelle Britton & Dawn Exton (Fulfordgate), 3 Anne Bass & Tracey Watkinson (Ox), 4 Caroline Whittaker & Marj Pearson (Burnholme).

Individuals: 1 Tracey Farmeary (Tramways), 2 Danni Laycock (Ox), 3 Jody Hancock (Slipper), 4 Michelle Britton (Fulfordgate).

Drawn Pairs: 1 Toni Smallwood (Ox & AN Other), 2 Dawn Stamp (Ox) & Sharon Mountain (Severus B), 3 Michelle Britton (Fulfordgate) & Sandra Pallister (Burton Stone),4 Lynne Wilstrop (Burnholme) & Wendy Storr (Severus B).