THE race for the York John Smith's York Sunday Morning League division one title remains alive.

On Tuesday, Volunteers took the lead against Nestl Rowntree through James Bonarius, but the points were shared as Simon Kehoe levelled for the visitors.

Both teams followed up with victories at the weekend. Atkinson, Lee, Bilham and Bonarius saw Vollies home 4-1 at New Earswick, while Battersby, Ward and Kehoe were the scorers for Nestl as they won 3-1 at Ainsty.

Marcia stayed in the hunt, while at the same time denting Hounds hopes with a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Quick and Young.

The leaders of division two met with Selby Olympia edging out Derwent United 1-0. The only goal came when Olympia won a cormer, Ginty swung it over, Hewitt thumped a header against the bar and the ball dropped to Stuart Campbell who hammered it into the top corner.

A single strike from Mike Haddan was enough to give Blacksmiths Arms victory at Derwent Arms.

Wigginton Grasshoppers stormed to the top of division three with a hat-trick of victories. A John Alcock goal gave them a 1-0 win over Bridge Colts on Tuesday. Two nights later they thrashed Bishopthorpe 6-1.

York Nomads provided the opposition on Sunday and took a first half lead through Bradley. Wigginton found their feet in the second period and goals from Alcock (2), Coates and Willis saw them home 4-2, Cruddas netting Nomads second.

Bridge Colts bounced back their setback on Tuesday with victories over York Nomads 3-1 on Thursday and Samson 1-0 on Sunday.

Kendall scored twice as Nestl Flag won 4-0 at Beeswing. Copmanthorpe looked to be heading for only their second win of the season when goals from Walker, Gilbertson and Johanson gave them a 3-2 lead over Hemingbrough who had scored through Chalkley and Stephenson. But with only 30 seconds remaining, Williams equalised to give the visitors a share of the spoils.

Opticare and Fulford drew 1-1 in the top-of-the-table clash in division four, Franks equalising for Opticare after Simpson had opened the scoring.

Volunteer Reserves gained ground with two victories in the week, the second win, a 2-0 victory over Boy and Barrel, coming via goals by Jackson and Keenleyside.

Burnholme also won twice, 3-2 over Inland Revenue then 3-0 at home to St Clements with Thornton scoring twice.

Inland Revenue followed their defeat with a 3-2 victory over Wilberfoss thanks to goals from Ingram, Ambler and Simpson.

In division five, Heslington's title hopes were hit as they went down in midweek to Burton Stone.

Henry Smith opened the scoring for Burton Stone with a snap shot. He repeated the feat in the second period, Phillips then saved a Heslington penalty before substitute Kevin Moon pulled one back for the leaders. But Burton Stone held on.

Heslington bounced back on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Heworth, Charlton (2) and Jones the scorers.

Burton Stone drew 2-2 at The Plough and 3-3 at home to Northern Wall. Henry Smith scoring three more in the two games.

Paul Hughes hit four as Barlby beat Hambleton 6-2. Sellers scored twice as Enterprise drew 3-3 at Kings Arms.

Pocklington Rangers held Black Swan in division six to four goals in the first half, but injuries reduced them to eight men in the second and Black Swan took advantage to run out 21-0 winners, Thomas scoring six times.

Bay Horse (Tadcaster) kept in the hunt for honours with a 3-1 midweek win over Kingsway Riders, Sebine, Parsons and Conway the scorers.

On Sunday, Riders took a 3-0 lead at F1 Racing through R Dear (2) and Barras. Goals either side of half-time from Harrison and Taylor brought F1 back into it before L Dear scored on the break to secure all three points.

Gipsy Moth remain second after a 4-0 win at Edinburgh Arms and Cross Keys added to Arms misery with a 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Billing, Burrows and Wrigglesworth.

Updated: 10:02 Friday, April 11, 2003