AT the halfway stage of York Veterans' Bowls League, the division one title is becoming a battle between Barbican and Holgate.

Barbican beat third-placed Bert Keech 'C' 25-19 and still lead Holgate, who beat West Park 'B' 23-9 by two points. Huntington WMC scored only their second win, beating Dunnington 'C' 21-8, but still share bottom place with Bert Keech 'B', who were beaten 18-13 by Scarcroft.

Holgate WMC beat West Park 'A' 23-8 and have opened up a four-point gap at the top of division two over Museum, West Park 'A' and Wigginton 'B'. Wigginton 'C', with only two points, look to be in danger of relegation.

Poppleton 'A' beat Bootham 15-13 in the division three top-of-the-table match, but these two teams are still favourites for promotion even though Shipton, with three consecutive wins are pushing them hard.

Acomb 'B' scored their first league win, beating Forum 'B' 22-7, to move off the bottom, which is now occupied by Bishopthorpe 'B'.

Division four leaders RI Amateurs suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 15-13 to RI Corinthians, but are still two points clear of Nestl 'C' and West Park 'C', who both had easy wins.

Poppleton 'B' beat Retreat 27-14, their first win of the season, but are still in danger of relegation together with Fulford Conservatives 'B'.

Osbaldwick 'A' beat Osbaldwick 'B' 16-13 and have a three-point lead in division five over Forum 'A', who beat Bishopthorpe 'A. Copmanthorpe 'A', without a point, and Wigginton 'A' look to be favourites for relegation.

RI Spartans, Stamford Bridge 'B', Dringhouses 'C' and Copmanthorpe 'B' are level at the top of division six with eight points, only shots difference separating these four teams.

In the Maddison Cup, Holgate WMC had to play an extra end before overcoming RI Corinthians 14-13. Poppleton 'C' came from well behind to beat Dringhouses 'C' 18-16.

In the Coronation Cup, Copmanthorpe 'B' of division six beat division one team Bert Keech 'B' 25-12, Fulford Conservatives 'A' of division six beat Huntington WMC of division one 17-15 and Osbaldwick 'A' of division five beat Dunnington 'C' of division one 19-18.

Entries for the Lord Mayor's Two-wood Singles Cup and the Triples competition must be sent to the league secretary by June 30.

Tomorrow's teams

Yorkshire 'A' v Durham 'A' at Kingston Hull (Muras Cup): Rink 1: M Ayers (Middlesbrough), M McNulty (Hutton Rudby), P Emmerson (Holgate), R Clark (Tockwith); Rink 2: I Willingham (Kirkbymoorside), T Stevens (Holgate), C Kelly, M Walton (Nafferton); Rink 3: P Humphreys (Pickering), A Stephenson (Walkington), S Dilks, A Baron (Nafferton); Rink 4: S Long (Haxby Road), H Read (Swinton), J Emmerson, Mark Harrison (Holgate); Rink 5: R McKay (Hull), J Lison (Nafferton), T Winter (Holderness), C Thomas (Redcar); Rink 6: S O'Brien (Middlesbrough), T Addison (Smiths Dock), D Chapman, V O'Neill (Middlesbrough).

Yorkshire 'B' v Durham 'B' at York Railway Institute (Alsop Cup): Rink 1: J Benson (Kingston), I Hodge (Shipton), P Reeves (Clifton), B Thomas (Dunnington); Rink 2: C Hall (Walkington), A Abbott (Shipton), B Walker (Hull Road Park), W Peirson (Eston); Rink 3: J Willingham (Kingston), S Lightowler (Richmond), A Hannaford (Guisborough), R Hill (Marske); Rink 4: F Northgraves, C Stokes, D Gibbs (Hull), E Hodgson (Dringhouses); Rink 5: K Lippett (Shipton), L Mitchell (Redcar), P Parsons (Holgate), R Sigsworth (Redcar); Rink 6: P Mosley, D Archer (Middlesbrough), P Lees, A Hodges (Seamer).

Yorkshire 'C' v Lancashire 'B' at Selby (Armstrong Trophy): Rink 1: C Baker (Langtoft), R Tiplady (Hull Rd Park), R Howland (Nestl), K Nelson (Poppleton Road); Rink 2: R Drew (Guisborough), J Harris (Middlesbrough), L Oakley (Guisborough), E Parry (Jack Hatfield); Rink 3: G Fineron (RI Amateurs), P Bruce, J Bone (Clifton), B Gray (Shipton); Rink 4: K Alderson (Harrogate), M Harris (Middlesbrough), W Dillon (Nestl), J Evans (Hull); Rink 5: S Burrell (Kingston), P Ransom (Clifton), S Forrest (Middlesbrough), G Norris (Cayton); Rink 6: P Stoker (Middlesbrough), M Baker (Langtoft), D Greaves, W Barker (Hull).

Updated: 10:55 Friday, June 13, 2003