Nestle Rowntree have crafted a three-point lead at the top of the Leeper Hare York and District Football League Reserve 'B' after they beat hosts Barmby Moor 5-0.

Two goals from Luke Brownbridge in the first 18 minutes put Nestl in command but the game and the points were not sealed until the introduction of sub Mick Burdett,who scored twice within a minute ten minutes from time with Brownbridge completing his treble.

Thorpe Utd claimed second spot after they beat visitors Bishopthorpe 3-1 with goals from Andy Cliff, Kev Taylor and Martin Rhodes. Keith Bullen hit the visitors' lone reply.

In Reserve 'C', leaders Hamilton Panthers kept their unbeaten record intact as they won 5-2 at home to Riccall opening up a seven-point gap.

Another Steve Gagen hat-trick was supplemented with goals from Craig Fletcher and Paul Brown before Panthers took their foot of the gas and a spirited Riccall side snatched two late goals through Steve Morton and Andy Tingey.

Third-placed Rufforth fell behind to an Andy Bariss goal in their home game with Amotherby and then nudged in front before Adam Gray levelled for the visitors.

But Rufforth took control in the second period to run out 7-2 winners. Their goals were shared between Jamie Fletcher, Liam Stilgoe, Paul Hemingway (2), Anthony Evans, Adam Fisher and Andy Lovitt.

With none of the top four sides in Reserve 'D' in action, Norwich Union could have climbed into second place had they won at home to Huby, but after leading 3-0 at the break, they had to settle for a point as the visitors hit back.

Huby's fightback was started with an Adam Johnson penalty. Steve and Dave Brogan also scored. Nick Ellerby hit all Norwich's goals in the first period.

Updated: 11:05 Wednesday, February 02, 2005