FIRST division leaders Malton & Old Malton had their lead cut to 25 points when they suffered their second defeat at the hands of a Hull Zingari side, who are mounting a serious challenge for a promotion place.

Malton had good service from Greg Johnson 38, Ryan Bulger 53 and Gary Hall 40, but a telling spell by Andy Hamson, who took 5-34, bagged full bowling points for the hosts as Malton were all out for 182.

Hull's reply was spearheaded by Aussie Adam Taig, whose unbeaten 87, allied to 49 by Mark Richardson took Zingari to a six-wicket win.

There was a fairly unusual occurrence at Duncombe Park where both the hosts and visiting Pocklington each took the full quota of both batting and bowling points when the two sides were both dismissed for scores in excess of 200.

The first innings was taken by Pocklington, who reached 68, before Mark Croft fell for 31. His partner 19-year-old Tim Nettleton then went on to carry his bat as he made his maiden league century by reaching exactly 100 not out.

Neil Jackson chipped in with 30 but Edwin Kirby continued his headline-making comeback to senior league cricket by taking 5-65.

His partner in attack was Colin Humpleby, with the pair's combined ages being 103, and the latter was involved in the other five dismissals as he took 4-54 and effected a run out with a direct hit as Pocklington were all out for 229.

When Park replied, Richard Foster 4-62 and Kevin Hinch 3-64 made inroads into the batting but Peter Kent was showing good form and he and Humpleby appeared to be steering their side to victory until Humpleby himself fell to a direct hit.

Kent was eventually left high and dry on 90no as the home side were all out for 204.

Updated: 10:04 Monday, July 26, 2004