SESSAY became the first side to inflict defeat on champions Dunnington since the 2000 season when they pulled off a remarkable victory at Common Road.

Despite Collis King's 27th Hunters The Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League century, Sessay triumped by four wickets.

The star West Indian hit 114 to help Dunnington, who are aiming for a hat-trick of league titles, reach 222-7.

But King saw his bowlers swept aside by Matt Till who hit 91. With teenage duo Nick Harrison (46) and Chris Till, who was unbeaten with 42, also prospering, Sessay won an entertaining battle.

Despite their defeat, Dunnington retained the leadership of the premier division when Acomb lost the chance to go top when forced to hang on for a draw against bottom club Carlton Towers.

Acomb had their last pair at the crease when the game ended. Aussie Sam McNally made 63 and Paul Wright 28 as Carlton made 142-8 with leading wicket-taker Dave Sykes grabbing 4-40. His brother, Richard, then held Acomb's batting together with 48 as Paul Wright made inroads with 3-22 and his efforts enabled Acomb to draw at 108-9.

Easingwold opener Jonathan Marwood showed immense concentration to bat right through for an unbeaten 42 at Thirsk. Only Dan Copeland made an impression, hitting 41, as Barry Petty took 4-41 to dismiss Easingwold for 131.

Thirsk moved to 35 before losing a wicket, but the home batsmen fell at every hurdle and were blown away for just 81 with Copeland taking 3-14 and Paul Skilbeck 3-18.

An unbeaten second-wicket stand of 103 between Neil Stephenson (53no) and Jamie Mitchell (55no) saw Beverley Town improve their survival chances with a nine-wicket win at Osbaldwick.

Steve Jackson's 41 had been Osbaldwick's best batting effort as they were bowled out for 125 with Barry Sayer taking 4-53 and Mark Tissiman 3-54.

Clifton Alliance made it three wins on the trot at the expense of Woodhouse Grange. Jonathan Bean (34) and Howard Johnson (58) helped Grange move to 118-2 but skipper Mike Burdett, batting at number four, then saw his side disintegrate as John Hunter took 4-46 and Richard Musgrave 3-34 to have them all out for 165 leaving Burdett high and dry on 26no. Clifton's reply started disastrously as three wickets fell for just ten runs but Dave Taylor, a centurion against Grange earlier in the season, hit 74 as he and Hunter (45) added 102 for the fourth wicket. Tom Quinn claimed 3-44 for Grange but Clifton ran out winners by four wickets in the 35th over.

Batsmen were in charge at Pickering where Heworth were the visitors. Home batsmen Mark Shepherd (76), Colin Frank (40) and Sean Stuchbery (36) contributed to their side's 203-6 as Mohammed Fayyaz took 3-32.

Dave Simpson then shrugged off his disappointing form to reach the 13th league century of his career, hitting 106no as he and Kashif Mahmood, who was unbeaten with 50, put together an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 115 to win the match.

Dunnington recovered in fine style from Saturday's shock defeat by crushing Ripon by nine wickets in the Premier League Cup quarter-final yesterday.

Ripon were restricted to 143-7, Gary Blackburn scoring 48.

Dunnington stormed to victory at 145-1 with Simon Kellet (63) and Hamid Khan (57no) putting on 129 for the first wicket. Khan had earlier taken 2-19.

Dunnington will play Easingwold in the semi-final.

Clubs are reminded that a meeting is to be held at Stamford Bridge on Thursday with a view to starting an intermediate (Under-17 league). Anyone interested should try to attend or contact the league secretary for fourther details.

Updated: 10:00 Monday, July 21, 2003