Yapham are virtually certain to take the division four title after inflicting a speedy defeat on Sheriff Hutton Bridge to go 59 points clear at the top.

Only Graham Oxley (27) offered resistance as Trevor Walker took 4 for 31 and Nigel West 3 for 8 to have the Bridge all out for 98 in 37.4 overs.

Walker then raced to 62 not out as he and Paul Barnes (22no) saw Yapham to an eight-wicket victory in only 16 overs.

Nearest challengers Huby lost ground in frustrating fashion as Easingwold made a second innings score of 89 for 8.

James Pringle (4-39) and Adrian Lecken-by (3-35) made run scoring difficult for Huby, who had to thank skipper Tom Piercy (31) for their modest 131 for 8.

But this proved adequate as Paul Moore (5-28) kept the visitors in check.

Third-placed Sheriff Hutton gained their ninth win despite being bowled out for 135 by Thorp Arch & Boston Spa.

Ben Tompkins made 31 and Steve Ainsly 27 for the Castlemen as Nick Ramsden took 3 for 26 and Steve Raine 2 for 32.

Rob Williams (26) was again Thorp's best batsman but Rich Armitage's 4 for 16 had them all out for 100 as they stay bottom.

Two of Huntington's stalwarts again did the business as their side beat Acomb by four wickets. Wally Baynes took 7 for 43 as Acomb struggled to 103 for 9 then Brian Pudsey made 60 not out in reply.

For Acomb, Andy Ingle made 37 and Dave Stroughair took 3 for 20.

Dringhouses made 174 for 5 in reply to Carlton Towers' 228 for 7 to earn a draw.

The result keeps 'Houses just above the bottom three and prevented Towers from leapfrogging them, as five teams battle to avoid joining Thorp Arch in relegation.

Carlton's main runmakers were Neil Robinson (56) and Richard Watson (82) while Dringy's top scorers were Ted Nicholls (73) and Tim Larmour (35).

Dunnington's Steve Whittaker took three for 31 in 18 overs but Thirsk still reached 186 for 4 through Mark Wainwright (53), John Harper (39) and Ed Willey (32).

Andrew Chandler then took 5 for 38 but 15-year-old Mike Noble made 39 then Dave Wilson 31 not out to steer Dunnington to a draw at 134 for 8.

Pickering are marching towards the division five crown after beating Selby.

The main interest in the division now rests with the nine-team cut-off mark which will decide which teams fall into the new sixth division next year.

Chris Johnson made 30 for Selby but And-rew Grayson took 4 for 31 and Richard Gray bagged three stumpings and a catch to help dismiss the visitors for 109.

Pikes' Kev Wilson was out for 40, leaving him still short of the division's aggregate run record, but Rob Aconley hit 50 not out as the hosts won by eight wickets.

Second-placed Tadcaster had little trouble in beating bottom-placed Heslington, who lost by six wickets after making 154 for 7.

Andy Webb made 62 and Sakander Zeb 31 for Heslington as Kev Wakefield claimed 3 for 24 and John Reynolds 3 for 55. Wakefield then hit 26 not out to augment Rich Cattle's 56 in Tad's 155 for 4.

Third-placed Sessay could have won on the last ball but managed only the worst of a draw with Nestle Rowntree who moved into the top nine for the first time.

Andy Main hit 47 as Rowntrees struggled to 115 for 9 on a rain-affected wicket which was well exploited by Rich Went-worth (5-38) and Tony Fox (3-28).

Phil Grayson then led Rowntree's depleted attack magnificently as he took 2 for 31 in 22 overs . Kieth Till made 33, Tony Fox 29 not out and Wentworth 23 but Sessay could only gain a two off the final delivery when a four was needed for victory and thus fell short at 114 for 5.

Bill Preacher (64), Nick Malloch (30), James Hodge (27) and John Lawrenson 29 saw Bolton Percy make 210 for 6 against visitors Stamford Bridge.

Andy Rapson replied with 33 and John Hetherton 25 but Peter Atkinson (3-35) gained the main share of the points for Bolton as Stamford closed on 162 for 8.

The biggest shock in the division saw lowly Wilberfoss hammer Stillington by ten wickets.

Shaun Linton hit 50 and Pete Dalton 25 as Stillington made 154 for 9, Rich Lofthouse taking 5 for 42. But Adam Lofthouse (79no) and Neil Smith (59no) knocked off the runs without loss.

Alistair Blacklee (105no) made his first league ton as Malton made 231 for 4 at Cawood, John Foxton supporting with 63.

Ron Hopkinson made 26 for the hosts who were dismissed for 104 by Dave Bradshaw (3-28) and Jim Dawson (4-27).

Pocklington beat New Earswick thanks to Kevin King (5-35) and Dave Gamble (5-44). Mal Harrison had made 35 and Tim Donkin 38 as Pock made 151 for 9, John Routledge taking 4 for 53 for Earswick, who were then all out for 86.

Dave Turner made 66 in Civil Service's 170 all out against Thorp Arch & Boston Spa. Matt Fraser (49) and Dave Kirman (42) countered Tony Tate's 4 for 72 to steer TABS to a three wicket victory.