THERE are four teams still in contention for this season's Pilmoor Evening Cricket League championships - Sheriff Hutton Bridge and Thirsk are level first, while Easingwold trail by just one point with Crayke a further point behind.

All four teams won in the latest round of fixtures at the expense of the sides in the bottom half.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge's batsmen were in prime form when they entertained Alne.

They posted the season's highest score when they rattled up 225-5, declaring the innings closed with two balls remaining. Craig Hunter made 43 from 18 balls, Nick Scaling 73 from 37 balls and David Ellis 66 from 32 balls.

Alne replied with 92-3, Tom Ryder making 25 and J Swiers an unbeaten 32.

Stephen Langstaff had a fine all-round match when Sessay entertained championship hopefuls Thirsk, but his efforts could not prevent his side going down to a two-wicket defeat.

Sessay took first innings and Langstaff batted through the innings to make 52no. Joseph Joyce lent support with 35 and Sessay closed on 121-5.

Langstaff then struck regularly with the ball to take 5-25, while youngster Chris Padgett claimed 2-24, but Dean Bramley's 24 and Gary Kelson's 37 were enough to tilt the balance Thirsk's way as they reached 122-8 after the home side were unfortunate to concede a number of no-ball extras.

Easingwold maintained their challenge when they had a last-ball win at Newburgh. Rob Proudley, with 27, and James Banks, with 21, were Newburgh's main scorers as they reached 82-9.

Dan Copeland was Easingwold's most successful bowler with 5-25, while Tommy Langstaff took 2-18.

M Hunter made 25 when Easingwold replied but Paul Doy bowled a good spell to take 3-6 and Stuart Pierse took 2-25. Easingwold still needed nine from the last over, but they reached 83-7 off the last ball to inflict Newburgh's third last-ball defeat in the last month and leave them still flirting with relegation.

Crayke retained their interest in the championship when they beat Stillington.

Stillington batted first and made 109-6, with Wayne Linton making 22 and Chris Manson 27. Ian Pocklington was Crayke's outstanding bowler with 4-21.

In the second division, Rowntrees moved to the top of the table after victory at Helperby.

They batted first and made 136-6, with S Cockerill making 47 and Dominic Atkinson 34, home bowler William Cupit bowling a fine spell to take 5-18.

Helperby replied with 115-7, Cupit making 27no to complete a fine all round match and Mark Spilman 23.

Huby got back to winning ways when they beat the leaders Sheriff Hutton. Tom Piercy (30) and Tim Little (38) were their main scorers as they reached 135-7, Joel Wilford taking 4-43 and Richard Armitage 3-14.

Sheriff never got to grips with their task and fell to 63 all out. Sam Potrykus and Dan Grainger each claiming 2-16, while Gary Whitwell took 3-9.

Updated: 08:41 Wednesday, July 16, 2003