HOLGATE WMC moved a step closer to retaining their York Amateur Bowls Association division one title with an 8-0 victory over closest rivals Dunnington at West Park.

Dunnington looked like taking some points with John Taylor leading Alan Smith and Ralf Tiplady up on Phil Emmerson, but the WMC skips pulled through to win their rink points, and, with Gary Lewington and Steve Lea in control of their rinks, it ended in a comfortable victory for the home side.

RI Amateurs had a solid 7-1 victory over Selby while Dringhouses beat Osbaldwick 6-2 at Glen Gardens.

Haxby Road beat bottom side Hull Road Park 5-3, the losers now looking destined for the drop after a difficult season hampered by illness and unavailability.

Clifton continue to head division two after a 6-2 win over Stamford Bridge.

Shipton kept up the pressure for promotion with a 6-2 (63.75-58.5) win over Retreat.

Harrogate beat bottom side Minster 7-1, Scarcroft beat West Park 7-1, and Poppleton Road WMC went fourh place with an 8-0 whitewash of Copmanthorpe

Competition finals day will be held on Saturday, August 18, at RI Bowls Club, starting at 2pm.

Meanwhile, in the York C&IU League, Mal Bulmer's Railway Institute team, who won the Heineken UK Ltd-sponsored John Smith's Triples competition by one shot last year, retained the trophy with a comfortable 26-13 victory over Trevor Scott's Poppleton Road side.

Poppy Road bagged a three on the first end but RI won the next three to take a seven-shot lead and scored at will thereafter before Pop won the last three ends.

Poppleton Road 'A', entering the competition for the first time, won the Plate trophy after a nail-biting 15-14 victory over Holgate 'D'.

With both teams skipped by youngsters, James Verity's rink took an early lead before Holgate, under Jack Woodworth, scored a three to go in front for the first time.

Poppy Road won the next four ends to take a six-shot lead and, with Verity bowling particularly well, looked to be heading for victory when three shots up with one end to play.

Holgate almost snatched the game as lead Brian Horner put two woods on the jack and Woodworth twice bowled a third which would have taken the game to an extra end, but each time Verity was able to draw a better wood to deny Holgate and give his team the victory.

In the Evening League, Railway Institute lost 6-2 to Poppleton Road in their penultimate match of term, but their two points were enough to confirm them as runners-up for the season behind champions Clarence.

Holgate held on to third place after drawing at Acomb in their final game, thanks to a fine 27-6 win by Graham Bell's rink. South Bank could yet overtake Holgate should they win their last game against Railway Institute.