PICKERING have won on three games to move from bottom place in division two of Hunters The Estate Agent York Senior Indoor Cricket League to fourth spot, writes Albert Pattison.

They beat Osbaldwick by four wickets, Clifton Alliance 'B', whose title hopes were dented by a five wicket defeat, and Stillington by 36 runs.

George Rounthwaite figured significantly in all three games, with scores of 21, 27no and 29no, while skipper Andrew Grayson had unbeaten knocks of 29 and 26.

Osbaldwick's Matt Dunne made scores of 20, 37 and 24 but was only once on the winning side in three matches.

Clifton Alliance 'B' moved to the top of the division when they beat Osbaldwick by 26 runs. Alistair Wray top-scored with an unbeaten 39 in Clifton's 128 for three, with other good knocks from Alan Barton (32) and skipper Bill Rodham (29no). Osbaldwick skipper Shaun White took two for 24.

In reply, Ed Baldwin made 30no and Matt Dunne 20, but Osbaldwick's reply fell well short at 102 for four.

Osbaldwick were immediately back on stage when they batted first against Pickering. Dunne made 37 but his was something of a solo act as S Beale took two for 12 to help dismiss Osbaldwick for 78.

George Rounthwaite then made 21 before being one of two Pickering wickets to fall before Andrew Grayson hit 29no to steer his side to victory as Pickering looked to be a different side from the team who had lost five out of their six matches.

Pickering's bowlers again showed good form when Clifton Alliance 'B' batted first. R W Aconley (two for 12) led the way as Clifton were held to 92 for five, Alistair Wray scoring 29 and Rodham 26. Rounthwaite made 27no, Grayson 26no and Aconley 20no to take Pickering to victory at 94 for one.

Stillington's Mick Carr took three for 31 against Osbaldwick, who were bowled out for 97 despite Shaun White's 32 and Matt Dunne's 24. Stillington fell short at 92 for four. Dave Allitt top-scored with 31no.

In the last game of the day Pickering hit their highest score in the competition, with 131 for two against Stillington. Rounthwaite (29no) again led the way. RC Aconley made 28no and Will Curtis 21no. Stillington were out for 95.

Today's football

Kick-off 7.45pm unless stated African Nations Cup Group 'D': Egypt v Zambia (4pm), Senegal v Tunisia (4pm). Nationwide League Div 1: Preston v Watford. Nationwide League Div 2: Brighton v Cardiff. FA Premier Reserve League North: Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn (7pm). FA Premier Reserve League South: Ipswich v Nottingham Forest (7pm).

Updated: 11:37 Thursday, January 31, 2002