THE opening day in division two confirmed that a cut-throat race for promotion is in prospect.

Favourites Malton & Old Malton were involved in a tied game at Bridlington, while their keenest rivals, Hornsea, had to be content with an advantage draw at Harrogate.

Meanwhile, Sewerby were one of just two sides across the entire league to take the maximum 30 points when they crushed Stillington by 178 runs.

Hafiz Khalid played a significant role for Bridlington when Malton & Old Malton visited Duke's Park. He was Brid's most successful bowler with 4-31 as Malton posted a score of 169-7 through Greg Johnson (39) and brother Neil Johnson (34). Andy Brown had 3-39 for the hosts, whose innings was dominated by Khalid, who hit 65.

However, Simon Oldfield claimed 4-46 and closure saw the scores level with Bridlington showing 169-9.

Newly promoted Rowntrees locked horns with Castleford II, who narrowly avoided the drop last term. Richard Tuite got Rowntrees off to a good start with 54 then skipper Paul Horner added an unbeaten 77. With Mick Jones making his best league score of 62, Rowntrees reached 246-4.

When Castleford replied, Matthew Radford made 63 but Paul Horner turned in a handy 13-over spell which earned him 4-36 and pegged the hosts to 201-9.

Harrogate all-rounder Robert Ross had a fabulous game at St George's Road but could not tip the scales in his side's favour as Hornsea gained the better of a draw.

Visiting skipper Dave Prescott made 33 and Richard Webster 46 before Richard Medforth played the decisive innings which saw him hit an unbeaten 74 to take his side to 238-8 despite a 7-75 return in 17 overs from Ross.

The Georgians then replied through Andy Taylor (31) and James Chervak (44) as United Arab Emirates player Ahmed Nadeem captured 3-82.

However, his success was then limited as Ross made an unbeaten 64 in conjunction with Colin Barrett, who made 30no, as the pair steered their side to 186-5.

Third division champions Sewerby were able to knock up the day's highest total of 285-4 against Stillington as Mike Artley hit an unbeaten 110, Tahir Maqsood 64 and Steve Staveley 33.

Shaun Ackton then grabbed 5-26 to dismiss Stillington for just 107.

Jerrard Loftran made 82 in Studley Royal's 176-8 against Scarborough, who had to cling on for a draw at 102-9.

There was a low scoring game at Wilberfoss where Dringhouses spin twins Mick Kenyon (4-19) and Ian Bews (4-25) created plenty of problems for the home side, who were bowled out for 121, Ian Clish making 47 and Geoff Room 32.

Des Hedaley hit back with 4-24 but Mark Fenton made 33 to help Dringhouses surpass the home score for the loss of six wickets.

Updated: 10:04 Monday, April 28, 2003