Malton's two main challengers were in opposition at Huby, where Acomb gained the better of a draw to cement their DIVISION FOUR runner-up status.

Acomb's Richard Clayton narrowly failed to match his season best when he was dismissed for 71, while John Renshaw added 38 as his side made 203-6.

Tim Little took 4-58 for Huby, whose depleted side never threatened victory and only 36 by Chris Cundall enabled the home team to draw at 107-8.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge called on their youngsters to fill a number of holiday vacancies and they gave a creditable performance which saw them fail by five runs to beat TABS.

Mike Warrilow hit 65 and James Turner 26 as Thorp Arch reached 180-9. The bowling successes were shared by acting skipper Dave Houldridge, who took 3-47, and Richard Coverdale with 3-52.

Bridge's 15-year-old Adam Fisher made his best score in senior cricket when he reached 46. Geoff Schofield went marginally better in making 48, but Mark Linnacre kept The Arch in control with 3-58.

Osbaldwick lost ground in the promotion race when they slipped to a 68-run defeat at Sheriff Hutton despite good bowling by Brian Burton, who took 5-60 and Marcus Hollis, who had 3-43.

Home batsmen Craig Dodsworth 54 and James Armitage 26 helped their side to 155 all out.

Osbaldwick's reply rested solely with Philip Hall who made 51 out of a disappointing total of 87 with Richard Armitage 4-43 and Simon Thornton 3-23 doing the damage.

Updated: 09:51 Monday, August 04, 2003