THE battle is on for the men’s ‘A’ league title with only two rounds of fixtures to go in the Malton & Norton League.

Derwent Arms ‘B’ remain unbeaten in top spot as they won 7-1 against fourth-placed Royal Oak ‘B’.

However, second-placed New Globe ‘Z’ hit an impressive 30 ton-plus scores en route to a 7-1 win over Royal Oak ‘A’, which keeps them within three points of the leaders.

Lee Rushworth helped Derwent Arms ‘A’ to a 6-2 victory over Bright Steels with scores of 180, 140 and 100.

New Globe ‘A’ defeated Derwent Arms ‘G’ 6-2 to keep their survival hopes alive.

The top two in the ‘B’ league fought out a 4-4 draw which leaves the Union a single point ahead of Derwent Arms ‘C’.

The Gate Inn won their second match of the season as they overcame fellow strugglers Derwent Arms ‘W’ 5-3. Hyde Park won 5-3 against New Globe ‘B’ while Derwent Arms ‘X’ lost only their second match of the season, 6-2 against the Railway Club, with the highlight being a 101 by Railwayman Steve Hodgson.

New Globe ‘B’ are at the summit of the ladies’ league and have opened up a five-point lead on second-placed New Globe ‘C’.

The ‘C’ team had no game while the ‘B’ team enjoyed a 6-2 victory over Royal Oak ‘A’, with in-form Carrie Render hitting 140 and 100 and Shirley Scaife a 107.

The Union drew 4-4 with New Globe ‘A’ with Globe’s Michelle Douthwaite throwing a 109, team-mate J Cass a 100 and Union’s Clare Weatherill a 103.

Royal Oak ‘B’ drew 4-4 with New Globe ‘X’ which takes Oak ‘B’ into third place.

The league’s finals and presentation night will be at the Railway Club on Friday, April 4, from 7.30pm. Tickets will be on sale at the New Globe.

Meanwhile, White Swan regained the lead of the Moors League with a comfortable 7-3 victory over Coach House ‘A’.

Tim Nichols recorded a 121 and three 100s for Swan with team-mates Neil Eddon and Tony Cass chipping in with three tons apiece.

Laura Thompson and Bri Cook won singles legs for House, while Dan Harland hit a 140. Second-placed Moors Inn suffered a setback at home to Blacksmiths Arms ‘B’, going down 7-3.

Derek Bannister hit 180, 146 and two 100s for Moors but still lost out to Jonno Bointon (121, 100). Further Blacksmiths wins from Ian Reed (71 finish), Ash Hodgson and Shaun Wilson, plus all the pairs and three-a-side legs, completed the victory.

Buck Inn ‘B’ earned a 5-5 draw at New Inn helped by individual wins from Bud Sharples, birthday boy Mike Peirson (134) and Col Ward, while Mike Hodgson (140, 121), Ady Cook (140), Mick Ellerby (131, 81 finish) and Nie Monkman (100, 102 finish) performed well for the home side.

Coach House ‘B’ thrashed visitors Crown Inn 9-1 with Michael Wearmouth (140, 3x100), Richard Thompson (2x100) and Luke Doughty (79 finish) on great form.

Crown had to wait until the last game for Pete Dowsland, Darren Sunley and Vicki Cheney to win the three-a-side as consolation.

Chris Pickering scored 125, 121 and 100 as he got Sun Inn off to a flier at Buck Inn ‘A’, inspiring the rest of his team to lead 6-1 after the individuals with only Vic Worral replying for Buck. Sun took the first pairs but Buck rallied for a 7-3 final score.