Heworth set a new Hunter the estate agent York and District Senior Cricket League top-flight batting record, but were still put to the sword by table-toppers Clifton Alliance.

Hosts Alliance totalled an unassailable 275-8 based on a fourth-wicket partnership of 119 by Richard Musgrave (90) and John Hunter (67).

The Heworth reply altered to 163-9 before A Walton and J Ulliott came together. They proceeded to put together a new premier division record of 60 for the last wicket only for their heroics to prove in vain as the stand was broken with eight overs and 52 runs still to go.

Second-placed Dunnington posted another large total with Collis King (61), Harwood Williams (78), Simon Kellett (52not out) and Paul Miles (43no) taking their total to 257-4 against third-placed Beverley.

Thanks to a half century from J Hodgson and 30 from J Mitchell, Beverley managed to prise a draw.

A stand of 148 for the first wicket from Easingwold openers Martin Piercy (101no) and J Marwood (65) led them to a convincing nine-wicket victory over lowly Osbaldwick.

Batting first, Osbaldwick's S Leveson (53) and P Finney (58no) excelled to take them to 190-8.

However, Easingwold totalled 191-1 to take valuable maximum points.

There was a tense tussle at Woodhouse Grange where Pickering batted first and, with solid batting contributions from C Nicholls, P Witty, C Aconley, M Aconley and C Marwood, made 186-9.

Tight bowling from Tony Evans (6-52) and Charles Marwood (3-41) reduced the home side to 95-9. The last wicket pair of A Bolton and Richard Burdett held out for 14 overs before finally succumbing with the total on 140.

At Sessay, visitors Sheriff Hutton Bridge batted first and a century stand from Paul Oldfield (66) and Ian Clishe (59) set them on their way. Able support from Peter Crowder (53) and Nick Scaling took them to 253-7 despite a useful bowling spell of 3-11 from Richard Till.

Sessay's openers were barely out-done as they scored 90 before losing a wicket, which gave them the platform for a worthy draw, finishing on 231-8. Their batting stars were N Harrison (32), M Till (54), J Flintoff (29) and D Johnson (42).

Division one leaders Stamford Bridge reached a massive 292-2 batting first at second-placed Carlton Towers, where Lorenzo Ingram scored an unbeaten 173. He was first supported by M Beckett (48) and then, with P Milner (50no), carved out 90 from the last six overs.

Carlton Towers struggled in reply and, despite some resistance from Jamie Pocklington (34) and P Wright (49), were all out for 134, Ingram completing a good day with 3-22. Aconley supported him, also with 3-22.

Tadcaster Magnet played host to Hull Zingari and batted first.

C Donaldson scored an unbeaten 63, but he provided the only good innings, as tight bowling from Hanson (3-35) and Page (4-32) reduced the home side to 147 all out.

In reply Hull found it easy going with Wade Pelzer scoring 79no and Alastair Markham 42 to take them to the target with seven wickets in hand.

Pocklington had a convincing victory to move them up the table.

Batting first, they could only reach 127, with N Jackson scoring 47 against tight bowling from Adam Rainer (3-43). However, it was a match for bowlers and Duncombe Park could only manage 52 in reply, P Powell taking three of the wickets.

Thirsk played host to York II who batted first and, despite Mortimer scoring 77, were kept to a modest 160-8, thanks to a mixture of youth (N Laidlaw 4-36) and experience (Barry Petty 4-54).

In reply, Thirsk again called on know-how in the shape of Des Wyrill, whose unbeaten 66 steered Thirsk home for the loss of five wickets.

In the East Yorkshire clash Hornsea, playing host to Driffield, batted first and scored 226-4. P Clappison top-scored on 72 and P Johnson (36) and J Fisher (66no) were solid contributors.

Steady innings from Drury (42), P Woodcock (47) and A Towse (48no) clinched the draw, but ensuring that Hornsea moved off the bottom.

Updated: 11:26 Monday, June 27, 2005