STEVE Ward scored twice as Nestl Rowntree put themselves in prime position to win the York Johns Smith's League division one championship with a 3-1 win over one of their nearest rivals, Marcia.

That result was doubly important as Volunteers, who are also in the championship race, lost 1-0 at home to Ainsty, whose goal came in the second half from Tom Read.

Hounds stayed in the hunt with a 2-0 win at Severus SC with Jackson scoring both goals.

James Vine hit four as New Earswick found their scoring form in a 7-2 win over Pack of Cards.

Robert Gibson scored twice as Pocklington came from behind to beat Acomb WMC 3-1.

Selby Olympia strengthened their bid for division two honours with a 2-1 home win over leaders Thorpe United. Olympia's goals came from Lanaghan (penalty) and Fawcett. Smith netted for the visitors.

Derwent United increased their goal difference with a 5-2 win at The Mount, while Derwent Arms continued their climb away from the foot of the table with a 3-1 win over Acomb SC, Triffitt scoring twice.

FC Magnet took a 2-0 half-time lead through Fenton and a Wilson penalty, but visitors Shipton fought back to level with goals from O'Brien and Young.

York Nomads increased their lead at the top of division three with a 6-3 win over Haxby Lions with Thompson, Siddle, Pallister, Bradley and Cruddass all scoring to add to an early own goal.

Rank hit a hat-trick and Small and Browne netted two each as Bridge Colts thumped Beeswing 8-3.

An injury-hit Wigginton side still had enough fire power to overcome Hemingbrough 5-0 wuth Tom Matthews netting a hat-trick.

James Gilbertson gave Copmanthorpe the lead against Bishopthorpe but Bishops bounced back to win 4-1.

Allison and Newby each scored twice as Samson beat Black Bull, who have gone nine games without a win, 6-1.

In division four, Fulford looked to be on their way again when Gomm and Sutton gave them a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but St Clements WMC had other ideas and Joe Smart pulled one back before Stuart Phillips then levelled to secure a 2-2 draw.

Old Grey Mare took a 3-1 lead against Burnholme who fought back in the second period with a Massey hat-trick and both sides settled for a point in a 5-5 draw.

Cross and Bastock netted two apiece as Opticare saw off the challenge of Raskelf, 6-1. Lee Bartlett netted six goals and Andy Mackie four as Volunteer Reserves put their challenge back on track with an 11-1 mauling of Wilberfoss.

The top three in division five all had to settle for a point against opposition from the wrong end of the table.

Kings Arms drew 0-0 with Wanderers and Heworth 0-0 at Enterprise. Robert Hale hit a 20-yard opener for Bootham Tavern against third-placed Heslington who rescued a point with a late equaliser from Tattersall.

Burton Stone dominated the early play against Hambleton and led through Dave Williams, but defensive errors proved their undoing as two goals from Abell and one from Walker saw the visitors run out 3-1 winners.

Barlby's promotion chances took a dent with a 1-0 home defeat by Plough, Chris Midgley the scorer. A single strike from Rye was enough to give Northern Wall victory at CPP.

The bottom two in division six both gained maximum points.

An all-round team effort was the key to an outstanding performance by Edinburgh Arms as they romped to their biggest ever win - 6-1 against F1 Racing with goals from Moate (2), Farrar, Tomaino, Vaughan and Rhodes. Yeowart netted F1's consolation.

Gladstone (2), Muzaffar and Whitelock saw Pocklington Rangers win 4-3 at Hazelwoods, whose goals came from Moore.

Selby Olympia WMC Reserves took until the 65th minute to open their account through Ryan Chadwick at Kingsway Riders and he was on hand ten minutes from time with a second to wrap up the points.

Goals from Conway, J Parsons and D Parsons gave Bay Horse (Tadcaster) a 3-0 win at Gipsy Moth. B Thomas hit a hat-trick as Black Swan beat Pickering LB 5-0 and Skelton ended their losing run with a 2-1 win over Cross Keys.

John Smith's Sunday League tables - Page 27

Updated: 09:14 Friday, March 21, 2003