Two sides vying for promotion from division three met at Pickering, where Bolton Percy's advantageous draw enabled them to retain the leadership and in turn nudge their hosts into third place.

Bolton's 203-8 was reached through the combined efforts of Dave Russell (38), Jamie Snewin (34), Dave Randall (26) and Mike Furze, who made 35, while Andrew Grayson took 5-46 and Ian Johnson 3-86 for the hosts. Four Pickering batsmen then made runs with Phil Aconley heading the frame with 52. Other solid knocks from Andy Hill (46), Chris Hugill (32) and Steve Beal (28no) enabled Pickering to make a respectable 188-6.

Acomb made it a double over Heworth when they emulated their seniors by winning by seven wickets at Elm Park Way. Heworth made a challenging 188-6, despite Richard Clayton's 4-30, as Jon Draper made 49 and Rich Winterburn and Joel Johnson 25 apiece. Clayton followed with 46 while Leon Sacks hit 39, Paul Hughes 37 and Rob Littlewood 35 in the successful reply of 184-3.

The Chaplin brothers played significant roles when Wilberfoss beat Bubwith by three wickets with Dave taking 3-72 and John making 44. Bubwith were taken to 192-7 by Brian Last (49), Chris McLaren (67) and Neil Readman (42), but Phil Stothard's 42 supplemented Jon Chaplin's runs and took Wilberfoss to 193-7.

There was a closely-fought draw at Stillington which ended in favour of New Earswick whose 197-6 was just too many for a Stillington side who replied with 188-9.

Earswick's score was built on two half-centuries by Andy James (88) and Chris Stimpson (53) who succeeded in countering Wayne Linton (4-62). Linton then hit top score of 56 when Stillington batted while Khagan Raja Arsal added 45 and Gary Goodwin 32. Mike James took 4-45 to keep Earswick's nose in front.

The result of the game between Woodhouse Grange and Malton & Old Malton was not fully received due to answerphone gremlins.

After being left at the starting gate due to three washed-out Saturdays, Yapham are finding it difficult to get into the race and lost to Clifton Alliance by five wickets after only making 113-8 in their 45 overs.

Barry Pearson made 30 but his side struggled as Chris Dower claimed 4-16. John Flint, who ended with 3-63 off 21.2 overs, had the Alliance wobbling with early wickets but Paul Atkinson with 47no and Paul Walton 28no steered Clifton to a five-wicket win with ten deliveries to spare.

Updated: 09:25 Monday, June 07, 2004