In 2001, Bert Keech stopped Holgate going through the season undefeated by beating them in their 20th match of the York Amateur Bowling Association League division one campaign.

In 2004 they have again become the first team to defeat them, winning 7-1 at Bert Keech.

Selby are now the only undefeated team in the league and their lead in division two has stretched to nine points following the defeat of nearest rivals Stamford Bridge, who lost 2-6 at home to Burnholme.

Poppleton continue their progress in division three and are now on top after beating Holgate WMC 7-1.

These teams have broken away from the pack and the fact Holgate have played one game less than Poppleton may be the deciding factor in the promotion race.

Acomb lost the tag of the only team in the league without a win by defeating City Amateurs 7-1.

In the first round of the Triples competition, an extra end was required to settle the game between D Sanderson, G Eagles, M Bulmer, of RI Corinthians, and W Clark, B Askin, T Longfield of Selby.

After pulling back from 14-6 down at 12 ends to 13-13 after 18, the Selby team lost two on the 19th.

Two shots on the 17th and 18th end allowed M Rennison, A Penrose and G Lewington (RI Amateurs) to come back from 14-11 down to win by one shot over T Hague, D Sykes and D Williams of Copmanthorpe.

Yorkshire bowls teams for Saturday

Middleton Cup

Yorkshire 'A' v Durham 'A'

(at Kirkbymoorside)

Rink 1: S Long (Haxby Road), J Emmerson, P Mosley v O'Neil (Middlesbrough)

Rink 2: Willingham (Kirkbymoorside), T Stevens (Holgate), P Jackson (Bert Keech), M Walton (Nafferton).

Rink 3: P Humphreys (Pickering), G Stephen-son (Walkington), S Dilks, A Baron (Nafferton).

Rink 4: A Hall (Walkington), S Adamson (Guisborough), A Hodges (Seamer), A Jones (Guisborough).

Rink 5: R McKay (Hull), P Lees (Seamer), R Hill (Marske), T Winter (Holderness).

Rink 6: M Ayres (Middlesbrough), T Addison (Smiths Dock), D Chapman (Middlesbrough), C Kelly (Nafferton).

Armstrong Trophy

Yorkshire 'C' v Cumbria 'C' (at Wigton)

Rink 1: B Render (Seamer), S Kirkpatrick (Hull), A Carmichael, A Crossman (Brotton).

Rink 2: W Chittock (Clifton), D Greaves, D Oliver (Hull), G Eagles (York RI).

Rink 3: H Hill (Swinton), P Ransom (Shipton), A Dunbar (York RI), K Nelson (Poppleton Road).

Rink 4: G Wyeth (Langtoft), R Tiplady (Hull Road Park), T Keay (Middlesbrough), W Waldie (Bert Keech).

Rink 5: C Sharpley (Holgate), P Carmichael (Brotton), I Brookes (Redcar), J Bone (Clifton).

Rink 6: J Cahill (Holgate), D Moss (Bert Keech), K Alderson (Harrogate), J Evans (Hull).

York Amateur Bowling Association fixtures

Fours

(tomorrow, 6.45pm)

Glen Gardens: P Dawson v J Emmerson, J Stroughair v P Durkin.

West Park: L Jackson v A Dunbar, B Cooper v P Reeves, D Harrison v P Goodwin.

Clarence: J Dalby v W Brookes, S Lea v J Caulfield, M Bulmer v G Scruton.

Triples

(tomorrow, 6.45pm)

Glen Gardens: P Reeves v G Mackie.

Clarence Gardens: T Quainton v R Tiplady, B Gray v M Bulmer, S Lea v A Dunbar.

West Park: L Bateson v B Cooper, K Ryder v G Lewington, J Emmerson v J Dalby, A Cook v B Walker.

Pairs

(Sunday, July 11, 2pm)

Clarence Gardens: M Bulmer v T Quainton, R Greaves v R Coulson, P Witherwick v P Godwin, L Bateson v P Durkin, W Brookes v K Nelson, R Gilyeat v K Ryder, D Wadsworth v G Lewington.

Glen Gardens: J Cooper v P Reeves, J Stroughair v J Dalby, A Cook v J Caulfield, R Bycroft v L Jackson, G Mackie v P Herridge. Byes: P Henderson, A Dunbar, D Dale, S Gill.

Next round: July 25.

Updated: 10:06 Thursday, July 01, 2004