Hemingbrough's drive towards the division three title suffered a setback with a one-wicket defeat by lowly Yapham.

Maqsood Akbar, with six centuries to to credit, could only make 33 as Hemingbrough were dismissed in 42 overs for 112 by Nigel West (3-40) and Jonathan Flint (4-22).

The man from Bahawalpur then took 5-37 to leave Yapham facing defeat, but the villagers' experienced duo of Clive Clark (15no) and Nigel West (12no) whittled away at the deficit to give Yapham victory in the 41st over.

Hovingham had a massive victory at home to Civil Service and are now only one point behind the leaders.

Civil Service made 151-8, Tim Jarvis scoring 39 and Nick Olney 40. Jonty Rounthwaite took 4-41 for Hovingham, whose Alistair Thorp (103no) and David Prest (47no) knocked off the runs without loss.

New Earswick kept well in touch with the leading pair by winning at Bubwith, whose chances of survival in the division appear to be diminishing.

Bubwith's Dave Stephenson took 4-23, but James Routledge made 36 and Dale Winters 30 to help New Earswick reach 146-9.

On Bubwith's small ground this appeared to be a modest total, but the home batsmen fared badly as Paul Stimpson took 5-25 and Andy Freeman 3-32 and the hosts were dismissed for only 113.

Bolton Percy recorded their second successive ten-wicket victory when their opening pair of Tydon Latty (74no) and Australian Jamie Rigby swept (72no) past a Clifton Alliance's 157-8.

Simon Corley scored an unbeaten 58 for Clifton and John Myers made 25. Alistair Rigby took 3-47.

After their recent player crisis, Heslington rekindled their promotion hopes with a six wicket victory over Heworth.

Heslington wicketkeeper Paul Neal held four catches and completed a stumping to support Ryan Elliott's 5-43 and Stuart Leslie's 3-50.

Fifteen-year-old Dan Walton, who made 21no, shared an unbroken last wicket stand of 24 with 14-year-old Graham Dodds to help Heworth to 101-9.

Heslington's former Heworth batsman Jason Gatus made 25 as he and Andy Ezzard (35), helped their side to a six-wicket win.

Two batsmen were dismissed in the 90's at Pickering, where Woodhouse Grange had the better of a draw.

Grange's Stuart Craven hit 93 as his side took full batting points, with Dave Langton (55) and Dave Izzard (26no) helping the total to 206-4.

Andy Hill responded with 90, but Izzard's 3-32 ensured his side remained in control with the home side's innings closing at 158-7.

Updated: 09:49 Monday, July 28, 2003