PICKERING swept past Easingwold's total of 155-7 for the loss of just two wickets and now lead division four by 40 points.

Veteran Ken Skilbeck returned to the Easingwold ranks and provided the goods with an unbeaten 41. Kevin Smith (33) and Graham Saunders (26) aided and abetted but 18-year-old Will Curtis kept the target within range by taking 4-23.

Chris Hugill fronted Pickering's successful response with an unbeaten 79.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge's 14-year-old David Coverdale, who is a nephew of the Northamptonshire County Club chief executive Steve Coverdale, hit his maiden league half-century to help his side gain the better of a draw with Dringhouses.

Dringy 'keeper Duncan Renton, who won the Doug Mackay Wicketkeeping Award last year, swooped early in the game to catch Bridge opener Vic Klays and quickly pouched two more catches as the Bridge slipped to 34-3. Alistair Sinclair was then joined by the youthful Coverdale and the pair hoisted the score to 96 before Bridge reached a final total of 156-5. Coverdale's fine knock saw him close with 67 not out.

After the break, Dave Houldridge (4-29) tore the heart out of the Dringhouses' innings, claiming the first four wickets as Dringhouses slipped to 47-5. John Futter defied the home bowlers with an unbeaten 46 as his side escaped with a draw at 115-8.

These are not good days for Huntington, who are having arguably their worst season since joining the league in 1963.

They were shot out for only 69 at Acomb and are in 11th place after losing for the fourth time. With three teams scheduled to be relegated from the division at the end of the season, Huntington are in real danger of slipping into division five.

The latest torment for the Huntington batsmen came from Tim Merrick, who took 3-23, and Steve Sachs, who had 3-8. Scott Nicholls (33) was the only Acomb casualty as a nine-wicket win was recorded with John Webster making 29 not out.

Huby's Paul Moore was among the wickets again, taking 5-18 as he and Tim Little (3-10) skittled out Osbaldwick II for 83.

Matt Dunne then caused some consternation in the Huby ranks, claiming 4-15 as Huby lost six wickets cheaply but Colin Piercy (35no) and Chris Cundall (26no) then saw their side to victory without further loss.

Twenty wickets fell at Selby where the home side got the better of Dunnington by 15 runs

The home side reached a total of 105 all out with Ian Lake the only batsman, on either side, to show any batting prowess with 39.

Nick Smith with 4-23 and Dudley Cooper 3-17 did the damage for Dunnington but then saw their efforts wiped out by Chris Young, who took 5-20 to seal the match.

Only limited information has been received regarding the game between Sheriff Hutton and Bolton Percy. Eddie Hull made 39 in Sheriff's 144-9 then Chris Hill made 51 as Bolton moved into second place with a three-wicket win.

Updated: 12:56 Monday, June 17, 2002