FULFORDGATE beat New York 4-3 in a thrilling encounter to stay in pole position in division one of the York White Rose Ladies League.

Beryl Glover put Fulfordgate 3-1 up but wins from skipper Rose Grimes (22) and Janet Ellis levelled, setting up a last game decider which Karen Reasbeck took to maintain Fulfordgate's six-point gap.

Rivals Sun took the first three games before Institute responded but Sun's depth eventually shone through as Heather Beadnell and a fine 21-darter from Julie Scattergood made sure of victory.

Gwen Shaw secured Tap and Spile's win against Clarence at 4-0, while Joy Franks and Jan Smith clinched victories for Burton Stone WMC and Six Bells respectively.

In division two, early pace-setters Coach were shocked at Alice Hawthorn. Debbie Horner held her nerve in the anchor leg to secure the 4-3 win for the Nun Monkton side.

Collingwood were also caught cold as Pat Drake put Bumper 3-1 up. Donna Dwyer rekindled Collingwood's aspirations, but these were only short-lived as Carol Gilbert clinched victory for Bumper that maintains their place at the summit.

Angela Forth kept Bay Horse's hopes alive by securing victory against Tramways, whose only consolation was a fine 23-darter from Linda Healey.

Liz Jackson and Jackie Barnett set up Moira Atkinson to clinch a come-from-behind win for handily-placed Fulford Conservatives against Palace.

A 24-darter from Nags Head's Julie Fennell was not enough to defeat Tankard, whose skipper Sally Umpleby sealed victory with an 88 check-out.

Updated: 11:52 Wednesday, August 22, 2001