IN-FORM Sessay moved into the top half of the premier division table with a 43-run win over Clifton Alliance in the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League.

A knock of 55 by Chris Till was supported by Mark Wilkie’s 46 and an unbeaten 25 from Chris Cowton as the home side reached 187-9.

Alliance’s best bowling returns came from Joel Hughes (3-67) and Alex Renton (3-36).

In reply, Adam Slater made 32 and Jason Gatus hit 44, but the Till family were firmly in control as Richard gained 4-46 and Matthew took 3-19 to bowl Clifton out for 144 in 48.3 overs.

The win moved Sessay above their opponents.

Woodhouse Grange continue to set the pace after recording their eighth win of the season, beating Easingwold by four wickets.

Steve Piercy made 44 for the hosts but a marathon 25-over spell by Steve Burdett brought figures of 6-63 to dismiss Easingwold for 145.

Jon Marwood hit back by capturing 3-23 but a round half-century by Nick Hadfield, together with 34 from Andy Bilton, set up victory for Grange.

Skipper Burdett had the final word as he despatched the ball out of the ground when the scores were level.

Centurion Will Rhodes powered second-placed Stamford Bridge to victory over Studley Royal at Low Catton Road.

Batsmen flourished, with Gary Blackburn hitting 90, Rob Nicholson 71 and Charlie Scatchard 34 for the Royals in a total of 214-5.

Steve Sergeant captured three wickets in the final over to close with figures of 4-38.

Stamford made an uncertain start but their fears were allayed by 16-year-old Rhodes, who hit a fine unbeaten 106 as he and Dave Bradshaw (72no) combined in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 139.

York II’s title bid suffered a setback when they lost by six wickets at Beverley Town. There were York runs for Charlie Elliott (56), Ian Jarvis (38) and Richard Love (37) in a total of 203 all out.

Matt Mudd claimed 4-70 off 17 overs for the hosts, whose reply saw former York player Peter Groves hit 96. With support from Jamie Mitchell (40), Beverley eased to a winning 204-4.

Batting first at Dunnington, Heworth posted a total of 194, with Rich Walton top-scoring on 40, Wazim Akram hitting 39 and Olly Sherwood making 35. Dave Kitching took 4-30.

Skipper and wicket-keeper Paul Miles, who had taken a catch and claimed a stumping, then smashed an unbeaten 101 as he and Dave Johnson (33) sealed a four-wicket triumph for the reigning champions.

The win kept alive third-placed Dunnington’s hopes of retaining the title.