WITH division three leaders Bolton Percy denied any play at Stillington, New Earswick were able to cut the lead to 21 points by gaining the better of a draw with Pickering.

Chris Smith made 48 and Andy Routledge 26 as New Earswick posted a score of 160-7 with Adie Boyes taking 4-40 for the Pikes. Paul Stimpson then took 6-52 to maintain Earswick's grip on the game. Pickering's successful batsmen were 20-year-old Sam Thackray with 31, Chris Hugill with 49 and ex-Kirbymoorside player Simon King who made 26 in a total of 134-8.

Bottom placed Woodhouse Grange were able to hold out for a draw without too much difficulty when they followed Clifton Alliance's score of 187-5 with 105-6. Paul Atkinson was in fine form for Clifton as he hit 80 while Darren Grey made 44.

In reply, Ian Henderson and S Smith made 25 each before Dan Izzard steered Woodhouse to safety with an unbeaten 31

Bubwith slipped nearer to relegation when a vintage spell of 5-37 by Trevor Walton sent them to a five-wicket defeat at Heworth.

After dismissing Bubwith for 134, the Elm Parkers strode to victory as Jonathon Draper made 32, Joe Johnson 37 and Paul Neal 29. Simon Lazenby took 3-47 for the losers.

Second bottom Yapham had made 30-2 in 12 overs against Malton when the rain prevailed while there was no play at either Acomb or Stillington.

PLAY was only possible in one game in division five at Huntington where the home side struggled to a six-wicket win at the expense of Hovingham.

After being unable to bowl for some time due to injury, Wally Baynes came back with a vengeance as he claimed 5-37. With Steve Beales taking 4-13 Hovingham were dismissed for 53.

Rob Cundall then hit back with 3-28 as Huntington's batsmen found run-scoring a problem and took 28 of the available 30 overs to record a six-wicket win.

Updated: 08:53 Monday, July 19, 2004