HOUNDS and Marcia go head to head on Sunday for the York John Smiths Sunday League division one title decider.

The game was rearranged after the original match was abandoned because of torrential rain a fortnight ago with the score at 2-2 and recent games have left the crown on the line.

It began last Thursday when Hounds beat Derwent United 3-0 with goals from Gladwell, Crowther and Carter.

Favourites Marcia came unstuck the same night at Volunteer Arms, where goals from Clamp (2) and Wain gave the home side a 3-1 win, Green netting for Marcia.

On Sunday, Pocklington failed to raise a team for the trip to Marcia and with them inactive, Hounds leapfrogged them into second spot with a 5-1 home win over Ainsty Panthers.

Mark Willoughby gave Ainsty a first half advantage, but, aided by the dismissal of two Panthers players, Hounds took control as a hat-trick from Jackson and goals from Crowther and Collier earned them victory.

Derwent United completed their season with a 5-1 win at Thorpe thanks to goals from Collins (2), Towse, Greenly and Bradshaw to temporarily go top.

Thorpe twice drew 0-0 in midweek against Pocklington and Selby Olympia WMC, Selby rounding off their season with a 6-4 home win over Volunteer Arms, Howard netting twice.

Shipton not only saw the division two title slip away but also their promotion hopes at the weekend as both teams below them won.

Nestl Flag secured the title at Deramore Arms after a double hat-trick by Chris Dyson.

Dyson headed them on the way after just four minutes. Deramore spurned their chances and then Rambridge and Pears settled Flag's nerves with a goal each before the break. Dyson cut loose in the second half with five more goals to take his seasonal tally to 44. Fenton and Martin also chipped in as Flag ran out 10-0 winners.

Acomb WMC stole the second promotion spot as Danny Gray (4), Jackson and McGarry were on target in a 6-0 win over Hemingbrough.

Hambleton were crowned division three champions without kicking a ball on Thursday as Fulford, the only team capable of stopping them, lost 2-1 to Inland Revenue. Lund gave the taxmen the lead and Jimmy Parvin equalised but Richard Burrows netted Revenue's winner with ten minutes to go.

Hambleton could afford the luxury of dropping two points with a 3-3 draw at Shoulder of Mutton on Sunday. Farrar netting all of Hambleton's goals with Charlton (2) and Bruce scoring for Shoulder.

Shoulder won their other two midweek games - 8-3 at Real Way Station with Watkinson bagging a treble, and 4-2 against Heworth with Charlton getting another brace.

A backlog of fixtures seemed to have got the better of The Plough in recent weeks, but they managed to secure third spot with a 3-3 draw against Heworth and a 2-1 win at Inland Revenue.

Copmanthorpe completed their fixtures with a 4-2 home win over Beeswing courtesy of a James Dillon hat-trick and a single strike from Matt Bastock.

Skelton secured back-to-back championships with a 5-0 win at home to Albion Vaults.

That was followed by a 2-2 draw with Bay Horse (Tadcaster). Bardy and Drury gave Bay Horse a flying start with goals inside the first 15 minutes, but second half strikes from James Barratt and Jack Coates earned Skelton a point.

That point was enough for Bay Horse to secure third spot despite a surprise 2-1 defeat on Tuesday to Enterprise, a 2-2 draw at Wilberfoss on Thursday and a 2-1 win at F1 Racing on Friday, courtesy of goals from Sebine and Bardy.

F1 Racing finished fourth after a 3-0 win at Albion Vaults where Yeowart (2) and Coxon were on target.

Selby Olympia Reserves took second spot with a 5-1 win at Wilberfoss where Muscroft and Lindley scored twice each. Olympia followed that with a 5-0 win at Black Swan where Ryan Chadwick netted four.

Acomb Celtic had a closing day 4-0 win at Wilberfoss thanks to Hufton (2), Rankeillor and Gallagher.

Jon Sargeant (2), Oliver Barrett and Dave Turley netted as Fulford Reserves ended on a high note with a 4-0 defeat of Selby Griffin.

The closing date for teams to apply to join the league has now passed. All clubs who have applied will be notified by post in due course.

Updated: 10:40 Friday, April 29, 2005