York John Smith's Sunday Morning League champions Yorkshire Herald showed why they will once again be the team to beat when they cruised to a 3-0 at Derwent United.

Goals by Backhouse (penalty), Alcock and Dunn saw them move up into third place, four points behind leaders Wigginton, but Herald have two games in hand.

Acomb WMC moved into second place with a 2-1 home win over New Earswick. Paul King gave Acomb the lead and although Paul Stimpson equalised for New Earswick Shane O'Donohoe re-instated Acomb's lead just before the break.

Goals from Sean Wedge, Adam Wash and Graeme Butler maintained leaders Wigginton's fine form with a 3-1 win at Severus WMC.

Volunteer surrendered the lead twice before overcoming Nestl Rowntree 6-4 in a topsy-turvy match. Joe Gaughan, Kevin Jackson and Lee Bond all scored twice for Volunteer, with Ellis (3) and Wain netting for Nestl.

In the bottom of the table clash Zafs beat Middleton Celtic 2-1 with goals from Richardson and Featherstone.

In division two, Shipton gained their fifth straight league win, beating York Hotel 3-2. They are now one of only three clubs in the league - Selby Olympia in division three and fourth division Thorpe United being the others - with a 100 per cent record.

Two goals from Phillips and one each for Blowers and Leaf gave Fulford Bay a 4-0 home win over a lacklustre Carlton side.

Mark Moore scored twice and Shaun Turner once as Jubilee beat Derwent Arms 3-1, with Anthony Luck scoring for Derwent.

Marcia remain top after a 6-1 win over Riccall thanks to goals by Smith (2), Miles, Martin, Allison and Fitzmaurice. Simpson netted Riccall's consolation goal.

Darren Ward was on the mark again as he scored two goals in Magnet's 5-3 win over struggling Copmanthorpe. Fairburn, Downes and an own goal were the other scorers for Magnet.

Pocklington gained ground on division three leaders Blacksmiths when they beat neighbours Wilberfoss 8-2 even after being reduced to ten men. Blacksmiths slipped up when going down 2-1 at Selby Olympia.

BH Colts and Shape Shop shared the points with a 1-1 draw. Acomb Sports Club moved away from the bottom with a 2-1 home win over Nestl Flag, whose marksman was O'Connell.

The top three teams in division four had comprehensive wins. Second in the table St Clement's WMC thrashed Jubilee Reserves 12-0 with goals from Eddie Phillips (5), Joe Smart (4), his first from the halfway line, and one each by Steve Halliday, Craig Ross and Tony Wilson.

Third-placed Cygnet trounced Linton on Ouse 8-1 while division four leaders Thorpe United won 4-1 at home tor Beeswing.

Wilkinson scored twice and Robinson once for Derwent United Reserves but it wasn't enough as they went down 5-3 at Raskelf.

Wigginton Grasshoppers returned to winning ways with a 4-2 home win over Acomb Celtic. David Thompson, Tom Coates, Rob Murphy and Ben Coates all scored for Grasshoppers with Kennelly and Gregory replying for Acomb.

In division five, goals from Dave Robinson, Gaz Pudsey, Matt Bastock, Lee Johnson and Davie Gall, gave Copmanthorpe Reserves a 5-1 win over Heworth with all their goals coming in the first half.

York Nomads maintained their six points advantage at the top but were made to fight before overcoming Black Bull 4-3. Crosby (2), Hurst and Dunn scored for Nomads.

Haxby and Hemingbrough shared the points in a goalless draw, while Keystones won 3-0 against Boy and Barrel at Selby. Inland Revenue beat Middleton Celtic Reserves 7-1.

Volunteer Reserves moved up the division six table with a 7-1 win at Beefeater. Lee Bartlett scored four times with further goals coming from Steven Pearson, Steve Stone and Aron Fisher. Andy Day scored Beefeaters consolation.

Opticare won 5-1 at Wanderers to remain unbeaten.

Enterprise Maff were 2-1 up at half-time against Knavesmire courtesy of goals from Ali Smith and Andy Nicholson. The turning point came when Adam Carlyle missed a penalty. Knavesmire responded and ran out 4-2 winners.

Burnholme SC stay top of division six after a 2-0 win over Greyhound. Northern Spirit won 3-0 against Shape Shop Reserves.

Updated: 12:21 Friday, January 12, 2001