OLD Malton underscored their desire to retain their York Leeper-Hare League premier division crown with a winning away-day at Rufforth United, writes Ernie Fairclough.

In almost ruthless style the reigning champions triumphed 2-0. Darren Rushworth put them in front with a powerful header, and while the hosts created chances they could not pierce the Old Malton defence.

Daryl Craggs fired in the second goal to make sure of the points.

Bishopthorpe also triumphed by the same scoreline, but this time blessed by home advantage against Huntington Rovers.

The game was deadlocked during the first-half before Bishops opened the scoring through striker Chris Smith.

Rovers then exerted strong pressure and were unlucky when a Jack Wilson drive grazed the crossbar while Paul Pemberton missed two good openings. An opportunistic strike from 'Diddy' Allison sealed the points for the hosts.

Two clubs hit four-goal hauls, Pocklington clattering homesters New Earswick 4-1.

The honours were even in the opening 20 minutes as the rival midields fought for ascendancy.

But a penalty from Baz Gargett put Pocklington in the lead and in control.

Soon after Rich Millet doubled the lead before a second spot-kick was dispatched as clinically as his first by Gargett.

New Earswick refused to buckle and trimmed the deficit when Dave Iddon thumped home a brilliant header.

But Pocklington, inspired by midfield schemer Julian Wild, stifled any further comeback with a fourth goal from Rich Swain.

Goals were in hefty supply for Dringhouses, who extracted a 4-0 success at Wigginton Grashopers.

A brilliant diving header from John Lake shattered the deadlock, the visitors adding a second before half-time when Craig McShane was on target.

After the break Dringhouses repeated the double dose with Lake bagging his second and victory sealed with a Mark Scoreby goal.

The points looked to be shared between hosts Nestl Rowntree and Dunnington with defences dominant. But then seven minutes from time Pete Sinclair guided home a neat header for a maximum reward for 'Trees.

Sharing the spoils in the final top-flight game Riccall answered strikes from Kartiers' Craig Hewitt and Andy Woodhall with replies by Paul Brough and Alan Jackson.

Updated: 11:41 Monday, September 10, 2001