DIVISION three leaders Bolton Percy were no doubt cursing their luck when their game against Pickering was aborted with their opponents standing at 68-6.

Bolton's frustration was exacerbated by the fact that promotion rivals Clifton Alliance had been reduced to 33-6 in their home game against Yapham when that match also became a victim of a heavy rain shower.

Nevertheless, Bolton gained one more point than their rivals and thus doubled their lead to two points.

Pickering's innings was halted after 34.4 overs with Phil Aconley unbeaten on 22, and Ali Rigby (2-13) and Dale Sanders (2-12) in control. Early tea was taken and Bolton players made strenuous efforts to remove water before a second shower ended the tie.

Clifton Alliance were in a des-perate situation in their home game with Yapham, whose John Flint had taken 4-14 to reduce Al-liance to 33-6 before their agony was terminated by the weather.

Another tea-time downpour pre-vented Acomb starting their bid to overhaul Heworth's 161 all out. Jonathon Draper 48 and Joe John-son 45 were the chief architects of the score, while Tim Merrick 4-49 and Dave Stroughair 3-30 had taken the bowling plaudits for Acomb.

There was a real thriller at Malton where the home side lost their last wicket off the final ball with the scores level.

In a 30-over session, Jamie Rudd made 31 as bottom placed Woodhouse Grange struggled to 109-9 with Shane Bonsor taking 3-49 in 15 overs for the home team.

Jonathon Dunning, with 26 and John Foxton, who made 38, led the reply for Malton, who also had a bonus of 35 extras but 17-year-old Andrew Anderson took 3-16 as the game went right to the wire.

The Stimpson Brothers totally destroyed Stillington as they each took five wickets to dismiss the opposition for 78 and net a 91-run victory for New Earswick, who are now breathing down the neck of the leading duo.

John Hetherton's 54 was the pick of the batting performances although Paul Stimpson's unbeaten 36 was a high-value affair. Wayne Linton took 4-64 and 15- year-old Mark Whitwell 3-21, but Earswick were still able to progress to 169 all out.

This target proved to be a distant horizon as Craig Stimpson took 5-26 and brother Paul 5-16.

Updated: 09:18 Monday, August 23, 2004