Easingwold's Martin Robinson made the highest individual score in the five-year history of the Premier Knock-Out Competition when he hit an unbeaten 149 which helped to put the first round tie beyond the reach of visiting Driffield.

Skipper Martin Piercy (26) was one of two early victims but Robinson and Paul Skilbeck (43no) then put the East Riding bowlers to the sword as they moved to a total of 244-2. Mick Drury (55) and Dave Woodcock (37) then led Driffield's reply while Chris Rook chipped in with 26 but their side were never in the hunt as they totalled 164-6.

Holders Dunnington had a comfortable victory as they started their quest for a sixth successive title when they coasted to a six-wicket victory over Pocklington.

Dave O'Gram made 28 out of a total of 145-7 but this was easily overtaken as Simon Kellett made 44 and Harwood Williams an unbeaten 53.

First division leaders Sheriff Hutton Bridge included five of their Under-15s side when they entertained fourth-placed premier division side Clifton Alliance and pulled off one of the surprise results of the day.

Mick Knowles top-scored with 43, but he lacked the support as Paul Oldfield went on to earn figures of 4-16 in five overs to dismiss Alliance for 136.

Bridged stuttered in reply but Steve Crowder and Oldfield came together in a decisive partnership which had added 89 before Crowder fell to Hawthorne for 58. But Oldfield showed his resolve as he steered his side to a six-wicket win with an unbeaten 47.

Ripon were another first division side to dispose of premier division opposition, this time in a much closer-fought encounter at Heworth.

A good all-round batting display involving Chris Warters (25), Howard Wooding (43), Gary Blackburn (36) and Peter Squires (44no) enabled Ripon to post a score of 182-4.

Heworth's top order also made runs with Dave Simpson leading the way with 62 and other scores coming from Richard Bowling 40 and Paul Mosey 27.

But Paul Mason was his old economical self as he took 2-12 in his eight overs but the scales were tipped by John Gains who took 3-42 as Heworth fell agonisingly short at 178-8.

Mark Shepherd was the star of the show as he gathered in a six-wicket win for Pickering over Thirsk.

Aussie Garry Kelson made 39 as Thirsk batted first but Shepherd produced a superb spell of bowling which saw him claim 4-2 in his eight-over spell which ranks as the most economical bowling recorded in the competition. Veteran batsman Des Wyrill observed the carnage from the other end as he moved to 55 not out and his effort enabled Thirsk to set an reasonable target of 135-8.

Shepherd then showed his batting ability as he replied with an unbeaten 77 despite a return of 3-23 by Mark Wainwright.

Similar scores were order of the day at Osbaldwick where the home side also emerged as six-wicket winners after Carlton Towers had been held to 128-7.

Steve Young's 3-29 were the best bowling figures with Carlton's runs coming from teenager Chris Pitts (30), Jonathan Dilks (24) and Jamie Pocklington (24). Mark Thompson then led the home reply with 76 not out while Steve Jackson supported with 22.

John Flintoff hit 76 for Sessay at Beverley to help his side to a 14-run victory.

Richard Till added 39 to help the visitors reach 175-6. Neil Stephenson replied with 30 but Stuart Peirse took 3-24 as Beverley fell to 161 all out.

Current league leaders Acomb suffered a surprise home defeat against bottom-placed Woodhouse Grange, who saw Nick Hadfield (27), Pakistan Under-19 international Kamran Sajid (39) and Steve Burdett (39) score well to see off the threat of Andy Tute (3-31) and advanced the score on to 161-9.

Despite the loss of Richard Sykes for no score, a 52-run partnership then followed with Chris Simpson making 30 and Sanjay Rodrigo 36 before he was run out.

The innings then fell away against the bowling of Sajid (3-26) and Graham Smith (3-28) with only Dave Sykes (18) extending the game before Acomb were all out for 137 in the 39th over.

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, May 27, 2003