AN unbeaten century from Ryan Elliott took Heslington to a storming eight-wicket victory over bottom placed Bubwith as the winners opened up a 14 point lead in division three.

Bubwith's batsmen belied their lowly position to rattle up 220-9 thanks mainly to a 98 run second wicket stand by Gary Moore, who made 55, and Chris MacLaren (53). Edward Smith kept the board ticking with 42 before Andy Ezzard made his mark with 5-36.

Ezzard again featured when Heslington responded although this time his role was as support man to Elliott when he made 44 in an opening stand of 130. Elliott went on to reach 128no as Heslington moved to 221-2.

Second placed Hemingbrough were thwarted at Pickering where home batsman Kevin Wilson batted throughout his side's 46 overs to make an undefeated 90 and earn his team a draw at 186-6.

Earlier, Maqsood Akhbar had failed by just one run to match the highest score of the season when he fell for a magnificent 167. With skipper Dave Kerr making 69, Hemingbrough had declared at 276-6 after 44 overs.

Batting first at home, Bolton Percy reached 82-1 through Peter Houseman (33) and Danny White (53) but then collapsed to 138 all out as New Earswick's Paul Stimpson took 5-66 and Ian Helmsley 3-40.

Earswick then slumped to 35-4 but were rescued and then taken to a five-wicket victory by Andy Freeman, who made 45no, and Neil Smallwood ,who aided with 25no.

Half centuries from Richard Winterburn (58) and David Bell (51) took Heworth to 162 all out when they entertained Yapham for whom Nigel West took 3-39 and Trevor Walker 3-38. Seventeen-year-old Ben Rees then hit 58 and Clive Clark made 35 as Yapham moved to a six-wicket victory.

Hovingham cemented their third place with a seven-wicket win over Clifton Alliance, who have still to occupy the winner's podium.

Jonty Rounthwaite took centre stage in the first half of the game as he claimed 6-34 but, despite his figures, Clifton were able to reach a competitive 183 all out thanks to good efforts from Paul Atkinson (39), Simon Corley (44) and John Bladen (27).

In Hovingham's successful reply, Alastair Thorpe made 25 and Phil Ryan 45 but the defining innings was the unbeaten 90 made by Stuart Prest.

Updated: 09:46 Monday, June 23, 2003