BOOTHAM moved clear at the top of the York Conservative Clubs’ Slater Cup Snooker Pairs League after beating nearest rivals Acomb 5-2 in a match featuring four black ball finishes.

The teams shared the first four games, with Bootham benefiting from two black ball wins and Acomb one.

Norman Shipley and Peter Mattinson moved Bootham ahead with a 60-29 result, then captain Simon Robinson and Ken Clifford completed the victory with another black ball win. Bootham also took the aggregate point.

Heworth ended their three-match losing run with a second 6-1 success over Fulford, who have yet to register a win.

Heworth won the first four games with scores in the 70s, aided by a 22 break from Keith Batty.

Pete Dunmore and Dave Scott stopped the run with a two-point win, but Jamie Faircliffe potted a respotted black in the last game and the aggregate point completed the win.

Acomb drop to second place, three points behind Bootham. Heworth are one point further adrift in a wide open title race.