IT'S third time lucky for Yapham.

After narrowly missing out on promotion in the last two seasons, they have won the Hunters the Estate Agents York and District League division four title.

An advantage draw over third-placed Sheriff Hutton, combined with a defeat for second-placed Huby at Sheriff Hutton Bridge, put Yapham up.

Yapham's 162 for 6 owed much to an unbeaten 53 by Clive Clark with Tim Lazenby adding 40. Sheriff's Richard Armitage took 4 for 56.

Nigel West returned to the Yapham attack and took 4 for 47 as Sheriff were guided to a draw at 128 for 7 by Simon Thornton (29no).

Huby's promotion dream was terminated at Sheriff Hutton Bridge, where home skipper Craig Hunter hit a half century.

Huby's batsmen struggled as Steve Glaves took 4 for 56 in 21 overs and were bowled out for 138. They were given a reasonable start by Col Piercy (21) and Darren Howell (58) but only Wayne Howell (35) of the remainder was able to reach double figures.

Hunter, who made 53 and Brook (24) helped Bridge reach 103 for 2 before Paul Moore took 3 for 37. Phil Walls added 21, then Dave Ellis steered his side to a three-wicket win with an unbeaten 21.

Huntington's Steve Beales destroyed Carlton Towers when he took 8 for 34 in 17.3 overs and has now taken 78 wickets this season. He is on course to break the divisional record of 87 set by Terry Parker of Duncombe Park in 1977.

Parker's record stands alongside Sam Lawrence's 87-wicket haul in the old first division in 1959 as the joint highest wicket haul in a season.

Carlton were whipped out for 89 leaving Huntington with the simple task of moving to an eight- wicket win.

Thirsk eased their relegation fears when they inflicted a six-wicket defeat on Dringhouses, whose batsmen performed well on a good track, reaching 191 for 3 with Matt Hayter making 50, Geoff Smith (63) and Alwyne Yorke (45no).

Thirsk's reply then got off to a good start as John Harper 54 and Simon Barton 44 shared an opening stand of 103. Mal Almond carried on the good work with 34 and Thirsk won with some ease in the 41st over.