THE top four sides in division two of the Hunters the Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League all recorded victories on Saturday and Hull Zingari now seem certain to gain promotion at the first attempt.

They have a 70-point lead over third-placed Scarborough after strolling to victory over a Whitkirk II side who can now view relegation in a similar manner.

Alistair Markham's 5 for 10 had Whitkirk floundering to 106 all out with the only resistance coming from Tom Clark who made 35. Mike Knowles then made 58 as Hull ran out winners by eight wickets.

Rob Harrison produced the best bowling figures by a Scarborough player in the club's short history in the league when he grabbed 8 for 55 in 18.2 overs at Bubwith. For the home side Gary Moore made 53 and club secretary Edward Smith, who needed the assistance of a runner for much of his innings, 42.

John Harrison made 36 for Scarborough in advance of an unbeaten 48 from Chris Dove which took Scarborough to a six-wicket win despite 3 for 36 from Charlie Cameron.

Two mid-table sides played out a draw in favour of Bridlington at Castleford. Brid made 189 and Cas could only manage 164 for 7.

Goole Town took another step towards their immediate return to division one when they had a four-wicket victory at Clifton Alliance who are now back in the third of the three relegation places.

Divisional leading wicket taker Dave England took 4 for 43 off 22 overs as Syd Corley made 41 in the Alliance score of 151 for 8. In reply, Anthony Gibbins made 44 and Mike Shipp 32 as Goole moved to 153 for 6.

Civil Service suffered their 11th defeat of the season when they visited St George's Road to meet Harrogate.

The home side included Paul Hampshire, son of the former England and Yorkshire batsman and current leading umpire, John Hampshire, and he marked his first York League game by making 56 runs. Ross Kneller added 45 and, although Dave Randall captured 4 for 54 with his interesting blend of spinners, Harrogate were able to make 192 for 7.

Civil's Mark Bradley made a gutsy 52 but the combined efforts of Marcus Fox (4 for 40) and Will Hagan (3-39) terminated Service at 138.

At Tadcaster, Rowntree bowler Paul Horner regained his form to bag his first five-wicket haul of the season when he took 7 for 55 to bowl Magnet out for 103.

Dave Lord made 41 and Rob Hill 25 for the Tadcaster side whose Geoff Coe then followed with 4 for 19. No other Magnet bowler was able to attract any reward and Gerry Capelin's unbeaten 40 lifted Rowntree above the relegation line with a six-wicket victory.