DEFEAT for Pocklington-based Stewart at home to Scarcroft has left unbeaten Heworth Cons virtually certain of taking the division three title in the York Persimmon Homes/Ideal Standard Bowls League.

Holgate, the league'sother undefeated side, look an equally good bet in division one while an 8-0 win for Haxby Road over Shipton puts them clear in the race for the runners-up spot.

At the other end of the table, three consecutive victories for Burnholme over fellow strugglers Ainsty, Nestl Rowntree and Stamford Bridge has lifted them out of the relegation zone. As their next match is against West Park, now four points behind them they will hope to make a clean break from this section.

Dringhouses maintain their hold on division two by increasing their unbeaten run to nine games and Osbaldwick keep in touch with seven wins from their last eight. They have a lead of ten points over the third club Poppleton, but have played one more match.

Copmanthorpe remain unbeaten in division one of the Ladies Evening League establishing a ten-point lead over Shipton, who are now Cop's only challengers.

Defeats for Dunnington and Railway Institute leave them with 17 points to make up in the second half of the season.

Only seven points cover the top four places in division two and as leaders Glen have played one more game than the other three, promotion places are wide open.

YABA Persimmon Homes/Ideal Standard Bowls Competitions

Singles, Tuesday, July 2, start 6.45pm.

West Park: M Smith v G Storey, J Stroughair v D Preece, L Jackson v K Ryder, A Dunbar v D Wadsworth, N Ryder v S Long. Scarcroft: K Pattison v D Williams, P Godwin v T Stevens, A Thornton v Geoff Dalby, R Coulson v B Douglas, S Gill v J Cooper. Clarence: K Lippett v E Leatt, A Nicol v M Robertson, G Mackie v R Tiplady, B Gray v L Redhead, J Emmerson v B Walker, A J Dalby v P Witherwick. First named players responsible for providing markers.

Fours, Friday, July 5, start 6.45pm.

Clarence: A Thornton v M Birkley, R Calpin v P Godwin, B Walker v J Caulfield, K Ryder v A J Dalby. Scarcroft: G Bunce v S Lea, K Lippett v N Cammidge, P Reeves v Geoff Dalby, J Stroughair v B Cooper.

Yorkshire County Bowls teams

( for Saturday, June 29)

Yorkshire 'A' v Durham 'A'

( at Bert Keech, York; Muras Cup)

Rink 1: P Parsons (Holgate), T Addison (Smiths Dock), E Hodgson (Dringhouses), R Clark (Tockwith). Rink 2: I Willingham (Kingston), T Stevens, P Emmerson (Holgate), M Walton (Nafferton). Rink 3: S Dilks (Nafferton), A Stephenson (Walkington), C Kelly, A Baron (Nafferton). Rink 4: G Holland, M Goodfellow (Holderness), J Emmerson (Holgate), D Carr (Holderness). Rink 5: M Parker (Holgate), H Read (Swinton), D Chapman (Middlesbro), H White (Hull). Rink 6: F Northgraves (Hull), R Hill (Marske), B Gray (Shipton), M Harrison (Holgate).

Yorkshire 'B' v Durham 'B'

(at Dunninton; Alsop Cup)

Rink 1: K Lippett (Shipton), J Lison (Kingston), P Reeves (Clifton), B Thomas (Dunnington). Rink 2: S Long (Clifton), P Hodge (Ainsty), E Howcroft (Haxby Road), W Peirson (Eston). Rink 3: J Willingham (Kingston), P Dawson (Marske), A Hannaford (Redcar), R Watcham (Marske). Rink 4: C Hall (Hull), I Hodge (Ainsty), T Winter (Holderness), B Walker (Hull Road Park). Rink 5: P Humphreys (Pickering), D Credland (Nafferton), M Cooper, W Waldie (Bert Keech). Rink 6: M Ayres (Middlesbrough), R McKay (Hull), A Abbot (Shipton), F Turner (Haxby Road).

Yorkshire 'C' v Durham 'C'

(at Stockton, Armstrong Trophy)

Rink 1: C Baker (Langtoft), A Robins (Selby), D Moss (Dunnington), K Brent (Langtoft). Rink 2: K Patton (Brotton), J Harris (Middlesbrough), S Lightowler (Richmond), E Parry (Middlesbrough Coop). Rink 3: G Fineron (York RI), T Butler (Scarborough), R Howland (Ainsty), P Lees (Seamer). Rink 4: B Ash (Hornsea), C Stokes (Fenners), T Keay (Nunthorpe), J Evans (Hull). Rink 5: M Baker (Langtoft), D Oliver, J Benson (Kingston), S Forrest (Middlesbrough). Rink 6: M Harris (Middlesbrough), L Mitchell (Redcar), D Millward, L Oakley (Guisborough).

Updated: 12:35 Thursday, June 27, 2002