The race for the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League championship was thrown wide open after Sheriff Hutton Bridge lost at Easingwold, while Thirsk won at Stillington.

Bridge and Thirsk are now level at the top of the table, with Easingwold a point behind. Crayke trail by a further point after losing at Sessay.

The two relegation places will almost certainly come from Stillington, Alne and Newburgh.

Sheriff Hutton remain top in division two after beating Raskelf. Rowntree are second and Huby's challenge appears to be fading.

Paul Skilbeck scored 75 when Easingwold made 155-5 batting first against Sheriff Hutton Bridge. Nick Scaling took 3-27, and then scored 20 but Sheriff Hutton fell to 109-9, Dan Copeland claiming 3-23 as Easingwold won by 46 runs.

Sessay won by one run at home to Crake. Chris Till made 35 as Sessay reached 93-2. Peter Carr (31) and Eric Watson (26) led Crayke's reply, but they fell short at 92-6 after home skipper Ian Watkinson had taken 2-11.

Alne's match at home to Newburgh ended in a tie. Fran Raper made 29 as Alne reached 74-6, Jason Sargent taking 3-12 and Stuart Peirse 2-16.

Newburgh lost wickets regularly to Stuart Morley (4-9). The last over began with five needed but despite a four off the third ball, Newburgh closed level on 74-8.

S Dissanayake made 53 and Kevin Borwell 26 as bottom-placed Stillington reached 106-9 at home to Thirsk. Andrew Chandler took 3-17 and Dean Bramley 3-15.

Gary Kelson (46) and Matthew Cressey (35) were the main scorers in Thirsk's winning 107-3..

In division two Sheriff Hutton beat Raskelf, who were bowled out for 63 by Andy Batley (2-24), Tony Hull (3-8) and Hugh Hodges (2-0).

Sheriff Hutton hit a winning 64-6 despite a fine effort by Raskelf's Julian Knowles, who claimed 4-11.

Rowntree maintained their challenge when they overcame Clifton Alliance.

Richard Tuite (71) and Dominic Atkinson (59no) were in fine form as Rowntree made 153-3. Ian Parnaby (2-6), Tim Wills (2-4), Matt Horner (2-15) and Paul Harrison (2-13) then dismissed Alliance for 70.

Huby lost at home to Helperby in a match played at Huby because the Helperby pitch was unfit.

D Patel was top scorer with 70 in Huby's total of 109. Mark Spilman took 5-35 and then completed a fine match by making 59 not out as Helperby took the points at 112-3, Tom Spilman supporting with 20. Dan Grainger was Huby's best bowler with 2-20.

Updated: 10:01 Wednesday, July 09, 2003