CARLTON Towers gained their first-ever win in the Hunters the Estate Agents York and District League premier division in eight attempts after they beat Beverley.

Beverley batted first and were given a sound start by Andy Brumfield (47) and Jamie Mitchell (36). Teenage spinner Chris Pitts took 4-48 and Robert Haw 3-36, but Beverley were able to reach 207-9.

When the hosts replied, Paul Wright made 73 as he and Lee Hanson added 100 for the secondwicket, while Steve Townend steered the Snaith side to victory with an unbeaten 27.

Martin Sigsworth had the best bowling figures in the top-flight when his 7-41 bowled Heworth to their first win of the season at Sessay.

Earlier, Matthew Atkinson (37), Kashif Mahmood (41) and Mark Lynch (28) had contributed to Heworth's 196-9 although Sessay bowlers Richard Till (5-38) and Steve Langstaff (4-54) emerged with credit.

Nevertheless their efforts were totally eclipsed by Sigsworth whose return saw Sessay all out for 108.

The table shows reigning champions Dunnington at the top for the first time this season following their last-over win at Osbaldwick.

However, the result of the game between Clifton Alliance and former leaders Acomb has not been received and it only needs a modest reward for Acomb to recapture top spot.

Essex's Joe Grant captured 3-47 for Dunnington, but Osbaldwick were able to reach 171-7 as Steve Jackson made 31, Richard Carew 30, Ian Wilson 32 and Steve Young 25 not out.

Australian Damon Aston then took 3-59, but Simon Kellett (37) and Collis King (41) kept Dunnington's hopes alive before Dave Greenlay (56no) took them to victory.

Tom Piercy made his best premier score when he hit 61 as Easingwold entertained Woodhouse Grange.

Cousin Martin added 39 and Dan Copeland 38 as the home side reached 205-9 with Steve Burdett capturing 3-36.

But Easingwold's bowlers were unable to follow up this early advantage and slipped to an eight-wicket defeat as Kamran Sajid made 93 not out as he and Mike Burdett (75no) put together an unbroken third-wicket stand of 167.

Thirsk's downward curve continued at Pickering where they suffered their second defeat despite a century by Garry Kelson.

The Aussie had reached 104no when Thirsk's innings ended at 171-9 but had little support as Tony Evans took 3-38 and Mark Sheherd 4-46.

Pickering made a poor start as three wickets fell for 23, but Colin Frank (81no) showed his class and with Mark Aconley making an unbeaten 58 the pair were able to knock off the remaining 151 runs without further mishap.

Division one leaders Hull Zingari lost their unbeaten record to Goole but they are still in pole.

Hull's Anthony Knowles was prominent as he captured 5-33 and, with Andy Hampson taking 3-19, Goole were restricted to just 101-9.

However, their fortunes improved as Dave England had the Zingari batsmen in a spin. Robert Elstron stood alone in making 49 but England weaved his magic with 7-45 to dismiss the Hull side for 99.

After suffering two defeats, Sheriff Hutton Bridge bounced back when they won at Crayke by 91 runs with just one ball to spare.

Batting first, Bridge had Mike Smith (56), Steve Crowder (44) and Peter Crowder (50no) to thank as they set a target of 223-4.

Crayke's batsmen struggled to deal with the bowling of Mike Smith (5-43) and Paul Oldfield (3-18), with Mick Pipes bowled by the penultimate delivery to leave the home side all out for 132.

Another good spell of bowling by Paul Downey (5-29) kept Tadcaster Magnet in the promotion hunt when they dismissed Whitkirk for 128 to win by 19 runs.

Chris Malthouse made 30 and Shaun Cook 26 for the Brewers, but West Indian duo Harlan Haye (5-25) and Darren Grey (3-53) ensured a modest target as they restricted the home side to 147-9.

Grey followed with 35 but had minimal support as Downey took command and Whitkirk were dismissed for 128.

Peter Kent top scored with 53 when Duncombe Park's batsmen prospered at Driffield.

Brian Leckenby hit 34 to help Park to 215-6 with Mark Woodcock being the pick of the home bowlers with 4-82.

Andrew Chapman then made 49 for Driffield, but they only reached 179-8 as Colin Humpleby took 3-18

Old rivalries were renewed at Pocklington when Stamford Bridge made the trip.

Graham Tipping took 4-36 for Bridge, but Ian Camwell (44), Rod Hinch (37), Andy Inns (40) and Neil Jackson (36) saw the hosts close on 203-9.

Bottom-placed Stamford replied with just 116-6. Phil Aconley made 37 and Tipping an unbeaten 25, while Mike Newhouses took 3-36.

Having followed his century of a fortnight ago with a duck last Saturday, York's Nash Stone re-discovered his touch with 111 from a Ripon attack which relied heavily on Paul Mason (3-49). Andrew Kay added 57 and Steve Jones 33 not out as York set a target of 237-6.

Stone then became the latest player to perform a match double of a century and a five-wicket haul when he captured 5-25. Fellow Australian Mark Barber made 47 for the home side, who had to thank an unbeaten 31 from Tom Leeming for reaching 156-9.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, June 16, 2003