SEVERUS WMC are closing in on their first John Smith's Sunday Football League title success after a hard-fought victory over Volunteers left them requiring four points from their final three games.

Volunteers took the lead through a Lee Bond penalty after only two minutes and five minutes later Pat Gaughan increased the lead.

Woodward latched onto a poor back pass to get Severus back on track with his 30th goal of the season, plus two for Lake in a 15-minute spell saw them take a 4-2 lead. Volunteers hit back with headers from Danny Cocker and Garry Carter before the break. The second half was a much tighter affair with a single strike from Moss giving Severus a 5-4 victory.

Two goals from Matty Wain saw Nestl Rowntree complete their fixtures with a 2-1 win against New Earswick. Hart was the visitors' scorer.

Adam Wash hit eight goals as Wigginton overwhelmed FC Magnets' nine-men 12-0.

Marcia won 3-2 against Hounds with goals from Allison, Fitzmaurice and an own goal. Pack of Cards gained revenge for last week's defeat against Acomb WMC when they won by the same 3-2 score with Ducey scoring twice.

In division two, a Robert Gibson strike saw Pocklington win the top-of-the-table clash against Jubilee 1-0. Two goals for Chris Harkin kept Selby Olympia in the hunt with a 3-0 home win over Carlton. Blake hit five as Shipton beat Derwent Arms 8-3 whose goals included a hat-trick by Anthony Luck.

Gonsalves and Redpath were the scorers as leaders The Mount won 2-0 at Wilberfoss in division three.

Acomb SC moved into second place with a 1-1 draw at Copmanthorpe. Singleton hit three as Thorpe United beat BH Colts 6-0. Bishopthorpe also hit six as they beat Beeswing with Hanford scoring three with Hudson netting Beeswing's consolation.

Black Bull hit the top of division four with a 4-1 win at Acomb Celtic, courtesy of goals from Brown, Ward, Lindsey and Scott. Steven Sullivan hit a hat-trick as Haxby Lions won 6-0 against Keystones. York Nomads beat Raskelf Rovers 4-1.

In division five, Burnholme kept their championship hopes alive with an 8-0 demolition of Heworth. Thomas (3), Thornton (3) and Bonner (2) their scorers.

The seven-men of Northern Spirit lost 12-0 to Volunteer Reserves. Robinson and M Lund were the scorers for Inland Revenue as they won 2-1 against Boy & Barrel. Dodgson was the visitors' scorer.

Kings Arms completed their season with a 3-2 win against Barlby thanks to goals from Rogerson (2) and a Sorby penalty. Hamblin and Hampshire were the Barlby marksmen.

Hambleton failed to take advantage of Barlby's slip when they went down 4-2 to Northern Wall. Burton Stone finally found where the net was as they hammered Poppleton WMC 8-1.

CPP continued their late run of form with a 2-1 win at First York courtesy of goals from Humphries and Davies. Sampson was the First York scorer.

Updated: 11:56 Friday, March 15, 2002