HOVINGHAM recaptured the leadership of division six after beating Stillington by nine wickets while former leaders New Earswick fell to a 33-run defeat at Heslington.

Mark Hemmingway took 4-31 and Philip Aconley 3-23 as Stillington were dismissed for 100. Jonathan Rooke then made 33 before former Stillington junior Jason Dale completed the job with an unbeaten 37.

At Heslington, the home side were restricted to 135-6 by Earswick's Martin Hewitson who took 4-43. Paul Clark made 61 for the hosts.

When Earswick replied Dean Winters made 44 but Paul Raper took 4-42 and Shaun Thompson assisted with 3-45 as Earwick were cut down for 102.

Stamford Bridge's promotion drive suffered a setback when they closed eight runs short of victory in a drawn game at Civil Service.

John Winfield made 65 and Bob Graves 33 in a 98-run stand which enabled Service to reach 150-8 despite Andy Parkinson's 5-32.

Ian Fraser led Stamford's reply with 30 but Winfield continued his rewarding streak with 4-64 as Stamford closed on 143-8.

Cawood shrugged off the absence through injury of skipper Bob Paddison to gain the upper hand in a draw at Thorp Arch.

Miles Taylor played a captain's innings of 89 while Richard Taylor added 27 in a useful total of 185-9.

Thorp Arch were restricted to 131-9 with John Orrell making 47. John Gibson took 3-53 in his first outing of the season, Richard Taylor added 3-47 to his batting and Ben Rawson claimed 3-22.

Updated: 12:59 Monday, July 29, 2002