Easingwold continue to set the pace in the Hunters the estate agent York and District Senior Cricket League premier division, where they have established a 26-point lead after having the better of a draw with Woodhouse Grange.

Skipper Martin Piercy led the way with 56 and had sound support from cousin Tom Piercy (37) and Martin Robinson (34) as the trio's efforts helped to raise a total of 221-7. Spinner Andrew Bilton, aged 14, was the pick of the Grange bowlers with 3-43.

Jason Sargeant (5-53) then caused early problems for Woodhouse as he took two wickets in an over with the help of two slip catches by Jonathon Marwood, but opener Nick Hadfield found a worthy ally in skipper Mick Burdett as the pair put on 156 for the fourth wicket before the latter fell for 61. Hadfield remained steadfast to the end reaching exactly 100no as Grange earned a draw at 198-7.

Dunnington were also held to a draw after batting first against bottom-placed Sessay but, by taking 21 points they reduced the gap to the leaders to one point.

Openers Paul Miles (34) and Hamid Khan (25) laid the foundation before Collis King hit 50 and Dave Greenlay an unbeaten 69 to pouch full batting points at 221-5.

Mick Polson was Sessay's best bowler with 3-66 but his side were never able to challenge the home team's total as Ajaz Akhtar (3-43) and Hamid Khan (3-24) reduced them to 129-8. Sessay were indebted to Chris Till's 48no and Matt Till's 27 for their draw.

There was a one-sided affair at Acomb where the home team romped to a nine-wicket victory over Heworth who were dismissed for 120.

Dave Simpson continued his good form by making 74 but his colleagues failed dismally against the bowling of Andy Tute (5-53) and Dave Sykes (4-60). Chris Simpson, with 53no and Richard Sykes 40no made light work of the target.

After beating the champions early in the season, Beverley's fortunes have nose-dived, their decline continuing with a home defeat at the hands of Pickering whose gained their first win of the season.

Four Beverley batsmen provided handy scores with Ian Gillian making 40, Ali Brumfield 35, Oliver Grantham 30 and Andy Burton 26 but the first half honours went to Sean Stuchbery whose 6-50 had Town all out for 160. Colin Frank (34) was one of three Pickering wickets to fall before Mark Shepherd 60no and Craig Aconley 36no took the Pikes to 162-3.

Thirsk's Des Wyrill found the form which has helped him make two good scores for Yorkshire in the county over-50s championship when he hit an unbeaten 65 against his former club Sheriff Hutton Bridge. Mark Wainwright chipped in with 31 but lengthy spells from Paul Oldfield (3-52) and Mike Smith (3-63) kept Thirsk's total within reach at 150-7.

After the break, Steve Crowder made 33 and Smith 27 before Oldfield steered his side to a seven-wicket win by making 61no to steer the Bridge into fifth place.

Updated: 09:24 Monday, June 07, 2004