UNION Rovers leapt to the top of the first division of the RJF Homes Beckett Football League with a 5-1 thumping of Rosedale.

That was enough to leapfrog Black Swan, Pickering, who were on North Riding County FA Cup duty, at the top.

Leading the way was two-goal Peter Tiffany, who was joined on the scoresheet by Steve Mills, Richard Abbey and Simon Rowley.

Aislaby maintained their third place with a 1-0 home win over Sinnington with a Nick Wilkinson penalty - his sixth spot-kick success of the season.

Kirkdale United switched their game to Slingsby, where they found themselves 2-0 down after 55 minutes to goals by Ben Brownhill and Darren Dyer. Ian Prendergast pulled one back before Gary Davies grabbed the equaliser ten minutes from the end.

Slingsby have signed Carl Biggins from Kirkbymoorside Reserves.

Second division leaders Gillamoor opened up a seven-point gap at the top after crushing Union Rovers 2nds 7-1 with goals by Dean Fawcett (2), Paul Brackley, Gary Stamper, Danny Drake (2) and Luke Tateson. Rovers' response came via the penalty spot by Martin Winstanley-Smith.

Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half by Robert Klimczak gave Duncombe Park a 2-0 win at Old Malton 3rds.

Norton United Reserves also won away 2-0. Their victory came at Pro-Pak where Tom Ellison and Edwin Arthur were on target.

Heslerton held off a tremendous fightback by St Clement's WMC to win 4-3. They were 4-0 up after an hour thanks to Wayne Pilmoor, Ashley Cooke and Chris Brace (2). But St Clement's roared back with three cracking goals from Jordan Hornby, debutant Tom Nichols and Mark Harrison to have Heslerton sweating at the end.

James Whittaker, Richard Chilton and Dave Wallinger netted in Ampleforth's 3-1 win at Crayke.

Updated: 11:10 Wednesday, December 07, 2005