Beverley Town bowler Shaun Lightowler produced a magnificent spell to earn himself 9 for 61 and his side a 51-run win over Sessay to take them to within spitting distance of the division one title.

Beverley had made a first innings score of 180 for 5 through Jamie Mitchell (71), Tim Smith (40) and 17-year-old Robert Todd (30).

Nick Harrison (36) and Matthew Till (34) both made runs at the top of the order when Sessay replied but Lightowler's career best effort had the Hambleton side all out for 129.

Pocklington retained second place but lost ground on the leaders when they had the worst of a draw at Driffield whose 20-point haul lifted most of their relegation worries.

Driffield were taken to 210 for 9 by Mark Tennant (49), Dave Williamson (40) and John Wooley (32) with Mike Newhouse (4-52) and Dave O'Gram (3-41) emerging with credit for Pock.

Wooley then followed with 3 for 41 and, despite four Pocklington batsmen making good starts, Pocklington only reached 177 for 6 in reply.

Pock's runs came from Ian Camwell (32), Andy Inns (28), Kevin Hinch (30) and Mike Newhouse (32).

Crayke missed an opportunity to move second when they just failed to overhaul York's 167 all out, the Villagers' reply closing on 163 for 9 to earn 13 points, whereas a further five runs would have brought a 28-point reward.

Brendan O'Donovan made 44, John Hamlen 35 and Marcus Bellerby 33 for York, who were bowled out by the combined efforts of Mick Hutchinson (3-80), Gareth Graham (3-43) and Dave Thomas (4-33).

In reply, Hutchinson followed with 55 and Graham 30, while Paul Hutchinson added 25.

Spinners were in supremacy at Carlton Towers with two finger-twisters each bagging six-wicket hauls.

Sixteen-year-old home bowler Chris Pitts took 6 for 49 as Dringhouses were dismissed for 179 with the bulk of the runs coming from Gerald Fitzpatrick (45) and Chris Evans (46).

When Carlton batted, Stuart Coleman made 29 and Mark Graves 32 but the wizardry of Mick Kenyon prevailed as his 6 for 36 had Carlton hanging on for a draw at 119 for 9 with the resulting draw virtually ending Carlton's last hopes of promotion.

Stamford Bridge's dismal run continued when they were unable to mount a challenge after dismissing Duncombe Park for a meagre 125, and their subsequent 30-run defeat has plunged them into serious relegation trouble.

Peter Kent (27) and Paul Wilkie (26) were the only two Park batsmen to register scores as Nick Porteous (3-24) helped to dismiss them for 125.

Stamford's tea-time optimism soon evaporated as Piet Rinke's (6-19) had them all back in the pavilion for a mere 95.

Stillington gave their survival chances a major boost when they gained a nail-biting two-run win at bottom-placed Wilberfoss.

Paul Mosey (55) top scored for Stillington while Mohammed Hafeez made 28 in one of his less productive innings. Kev Davison (4-25) was 'Foss's best bowler, while Aussie Mathew McIntosh assisted with 3 for 46. Davison then made 35 not out before running out of partners as his side were bowled out for 172.