REIGNING champions Holgate WMC moved to the top of the York Amateur Bowls League on a night of whitewashes in the first division.

Holgate took full advantage of RI Amateurs’ bye with a convincing 8-0 win over Haxby Road, which moved them half-a-point clear at the summit, as they maintained their unbeaten record.

There were also 8-0 victories for Rowntree and Dunnington over Dringhouses and Osbaldwick respectively.

In division two, Clifton have taken advantage of Poppleton’s poor run of form to move to the top after benefitting from a bye.

Poppleton bounced back to winning ways with a 6-2 victory over Poppleton Road WMC, while Shipton prevailed 92-72 against West Park, gaining them a 6-2 triumph before also edging out Copmanthorpe 75-71 (5-3).

There was better news for Poppleton Road when they overcame Harrogate 7-1, while Scarcroft and Stamford Bridge both got the better of Copmanthorpe and Retreat respectively by the same scoreline.

Scarcroft went on to lose 6-2 to Harrogate, while Stamford Bridge were succesful again with a 6-2 defeat of West Park.

In round one of the YABA Singles competition, the results were David Slawson 21 Paul Craven 13, Trevor Scott 21 Kirk Jackson 11 and Neil Gatenby 21 Ray Wynn 12, while Andy Brookes received a walkover against Mark Haymes.

Elsewhere, Poppleton Road inflicted a first York C & IU Bowls Evening League defeat of the season on Railway Institute, winning 7-1 to prevent the latter from drawing level at the top with Clarence, who were without a match.

Holgate v Acomb and Burton Lane v South Bank both ended as 4-4 draws.

In the Afternoon League, top-of-the-table St Clements continued their unbeaten run with an eight-shot triumph over Acomb A.

They are two points clear of Railway Institute, who won their third match in a row with a four-shot success over Holgate B.