LEEPER HARE York and District League premier division leaders Old Malton took another step towards the title with a comprehensive 7-2 victory over Rufforth.

Neil Wilford scored a well-taken hat-trick, Mick Henderson chipped in with a couple while Phil Hill and substitute Paul Boyes got the other Malton goals.

Paul Moss and Gary Keenan were on target for Rufforth.

Champions Boroughbridge are one of the few teams who have a realistic chance of catching Malton but will need to win all their four games in hand.

They proved far too strong for bottom club CGU, winning 8-0 with goals from Les Gray (2), Paul Stephenson, Steve Hampson, Tony Weatherill, Duncan Quick, Matt Wicks and man-of-the-match Daz Ekin.

CGU are now relegated.

Mick Murr scored a superb hat-trick as Pocklington won 5-0 at struggling New Earswick.

Matt Wash and Phil Hart both went close for New Earswick after Murr's opening goal, but Rich Millett increased Pock's lead with a scorching drive.

Murr beat two men in a great run as he netted his second goal before Millett also got his second with Murr grabbing the final strike to complete his treble.

Paul Stimpson, JJ Smith and Mark Bennett were the pick of the home side.

Crayke enjoyed a good 3-1 home win over Kartiers with all the goals coming in the second half.

Simon Wilson opened the scoring for Crayke with a fine shot that beat goalkeeper Pete Voss and ten minutes later fired home again to make it 2-0.

Kartiers responded with a goal from Martin Rowley, but Crayke made sure of the win with a third.

Bishopthorpe were outplayed in the first half by Dringhouses and eventually went down 2-0.

Jimmy McMurray shot Dringhouses into the lead and central defender Steve Harrison fired in the second after a quick break. Bishops came into the game more in the second half but could not penetrate a well organised Dringhouses defence.

Updated: 12:02 Monday, April 16, 2001