Severus SC moved closer to their second John Smith's York Sunday League title with a 6-3 win over a brave New Earswick, whose battle against the drop now looks a forlorn task.

A Woodward hat-trick and a Jones brace put the hosts 5-1 up midway through the second half. Phillips had netted for Earswick and they rallied through Allan and a Stimp-son penalty, but they then missed a second spot kick before Jones completed his hat-trick to kill them off.

Sev's title hopes were boosted as a heavy pitch could not deny a classy Hounds side from beating second-placed Ainsty Panthers.

Fletcher twice put Ainsty in front but Jackson and Mitchell levelled before constant pressure from the visitors saw Mitchell score twice in the last ten minutes to complete his hat-trick and a 4-2 win.

Strickland and Holtby each bagged a treble as Derwent United eased their relegation worries with a 9-2 thrashing of Volunteers.

Ward netted twice as Nestl Rown-tree drew with Marcia, for whom Kettlewell and Darlow scored, the result doing neither team a favour.

Bond and Rudd scored as Pocklington won 2-1 at Selby Olympia WMC, Lanaghan replying.

Chris Dyson put Nestl Flag in front at division two leaders Wigginton Grasshoppers but the hosts came out stronger after the break and goals from Coates and Bonner secured the points.

They now have a five-point lead at the top after Blacksmiths Arms drew 2-2 with Acomb SC. Haddon and Newton netted for Blacksmiths, Byford and Holder replying.

Thorpe United hit top form with Wood netting a treble and Singleton and Tweedie a brace apiece in a 9-2 win at Bridge Colts.

At the bottom, Shipton continued their good run with a 4-2 win over York Nomads, Blake scoring twice. Stephen Jackson scored three as Deramore Arms beat Five Lions 7-4.

Division three side Black Bull have resigned from the league and that, together with a 3-0 win over Bishopthorpe, saw Hemingbrough move seven points clear at the top.

An Eddie Phillips hat-trick helped St Clements WMC to a 6-4 win over Inland Revenue. Ben Drummond also bagged a treble as Haxby Lions beat Boot & Slipper 6-3.

The big game in division four saw leaders Hambleton come back to beat local foes Barlby Athletic 3-2. Hughes and Collins put Barlby two up but a super second-half show saw Croad (2) and Parker turn it round.

Gareth Gray scored four goals as Acomb Celtic moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season with a 7-3 win over Raskelf, who replace them at the bottom.

Real Way Station regained second spot with a 1-1 draw at the Plough.

Britannia's march to the division five title continued with an 8-2 win at Enterprise, Sebine scoring twice.

Black Swan regained second spot with a 7-3 win over Gipsy Moth thanks to four goals from Thomas and a treble from Peach.

The bottom two both won. Castle Howard Ox beat Rumours 4-1, while goals from Baxter and Dear (L) gave Kingsway Riders a 2-1 win at Poppleton Road WMC.

Poppleton Lord Nelson failed to close the gap on division six leaders Skelton when they lost 4-2 to in-form Quaker Wood, Wrigglesworth (2), Thompson and Burton netting.

Albion Vaults had to come from 3-2 down at half time to beat CPP 6-4 with Ward and Phillips each netting a brace, while Grewer hit four as F1 Racing kept their outside hopes of promotion alive with a 7-1 win at Green Vale Rangers.

Heworth and Wilberfoss claimed quarter-final places in the Mecca Trophy with a 3-1 win at Copman-thorpe and a 4-2 defeat of Skelton respectively.

Coop (2) and Collins scored Heworth's goals in the first half, James Gilbertson pulling one back, while Muir hit a hat-trick for 'Foss, who won despite going behind to Neale Holmes' 50th goal this season

The monthly league meeting takes place next Thursday at 8pm at New Earswick Bowls Club.

Updated: 09:28 Friday, February 20, 2004