POCKLINGTON clinched the fifth division title in fine style when they stormed to a nine-wicket victory over New Earswick.

Mark Croft made 66 not out and Alex Downey 54 not out for Pocklington. John Routledge scored an unbeaten 39 in Earswick's 150-8. Chris Forsdyke took 4-17 in only six overs and then became the only Pocklington casualty when he was dismissed for 22. The nine-wicket defeat sent New Earswick into division six.

Selby ensured promotion by making their usual bagful of runs, but they were denied outright victory by resolute batting by Dringhouses, who survived a marathon 55 overs to earn a draw.

Sixteen-year-old Matt Hoyle was Selby's star as he made his maiden league century, reaching an unbeaten 101 before Selby declared at 269-2 after 35 overs.

Ian Lake's 74 hoisted his record divisional aggregate to 1,240, the seventh highest total in the league's history. Mark Bowden weighed in with 68.

Dringhouses' successful rearguard action was implemented by Gareth Wilkinson (26), Alwyn Yorke (27), Brendon Walsh (33) and skipper Dave Storr (27no) and the innings closed on 189-6 after 55 overs. Peter Hoyle took 3-49.

Bowlers had a field day at Huntington, where 20 wickets fell for only 183 runs as Tadcaster Magnet recovered from being dismissed for 97 to whip out the home side for 86. Huntington's Wally Baynes took 5-49 and Steve Beales 3- 34 to close with a total of 74 wickets in the season.

Home celebrations were then squashed when Mark Cass (4-13) and 16-year-old Russell Madin (3-20) had Huntington all out for 86.

Rowntree failed to break their winning duck when they were on the receiving end of a first York League century by Hovingham's Nigel Adams, whose unbeaten 102 saw his side to an eight wicket victory.

A dashing 38 by Duncan Robertson allied to a painstaking 25 from A Pattison enabled Rowntree to reach 148-7, spinner Mike Hemingway bowling an impressive 22 overs to take 5-72.

When Hovingham batted Adams and Jason Dale (23), added 138 for the second wicket as Hovingham moved to a convincing win.

At Stamford Bridge, Ian Fraser made 42 in a home total of 140-6. Simon Barton (57) and Danny McGhee (29) then eased Thirsk to a seven wicket victory in a comfortable 37 overs.

Updated: 11:52 Monday, September 15, 2003