Holgate and Haxby Road are once again emerging as the only contenders for the York Amateur Bowling Association Persimmon Homes Ideal Standard League division one title.

Haxby Road still have the edge, despite losing 2-6 to RI Amateurs at Falconer Street.

All other teams have already lost two games and nearest rivals Bert Keech will have to beat Haxby Road in their next match to maintain a realistic challenge, as will Hull Road Park, who next meet Holgate.

Victories for West Park over Dringhouses 6-2 and Burnholme 7-1 move them off the bottom and suggests that the relegation battle will involve at least six clubs of similar strength.

RI Corinthians, who are leading division two by a considerable margin, owe their undefeated record to Geoff Eagle's rink of G Love, K Powdrell and D Poynter, who won at Stamford Bridge by enough shots to cover three losing rinks and take the aggregate points for a 5-3 win.

Due to several postponed fixtures it is not yet possible to say who will prove to be Corinthians' strongest challengers for the division two title.

In division three, four wins out of five for Selby, Minster and University suggests that these teams will be fighting for the promotion places, but Scarcroft and City Amateurs with only one defeat could still be in the race.

The draw for the first round of the Williamson Cup, starting Wednesday, June 4, is:

Holgate WMC v City Amateurs, RI Amateurs v Holgate, Acomb v Hull Road Park, Osbaldwick v Poppleton Road WMC, Dunnington 'A' v Copmanthorpe, Nestl Rowntree v University, Bishopthorpe v Minster, Bootham v Stewart, Tockwith v Poppleton, Fulford Cons v Dunnington 'B', Burnholme v Dringhouses, Harrogate v Bert Keech, Retreat v Clifton, Stamford Bridge v Scarcroft, Vickers v Heworth Cons, Haxby Road v Selby, Shipton v RI Corinthians, Wetherby v West Park.

The Bert Keech Two-wood singles competition takes place this Sunday, starting 2pm. Anyone wishing to compete who has not already entered should report at Bert Keech green by 1.30pm, when the draw will be made.

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, May 29, 2003