HULL Zingari skipper Alistair Markham led from the front in their Hunters Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League second division top of the table clash with Scarborough.

Table-toppers Hull took first knock and the home batsmen found the pitch very much to their liking, in particular Markham, who compi1ed a patient century scoring the one run off the last ball of the innings to take him to 100 not out in a total of 252 for 4.

However, as the Scarborough bowlers had toiled before tea the same fate befell the Zingari bowlers as the Scarborough batsmen made hay in the sunshine.

Andy Welford (61 not out), D Morris (66 not out) and C Dove (39) saw third-placed Scarborough gain a comfortable draw at 202 for 3.

Harrogate kept up the pressure at the top with a comprehensive victory at Tadcaster Magnets, who could only muster a paltry 72.

Tom Durrance was the pick of the Harrogate bowlers with 5 for 17 as Tadcaster fell well short of their target.

Harrogate had posted a total of 185 for 4 thanks largely to J Henderson's 62 not out and A Taylor's 53. the only plus point for Tadcaster was the bowling of John Weatherall, who took 4 for 74.

Rowntrees slipped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of a Castleford side who achieved only their second win of the season.

G Curry's century knock of 105, together with useful contributions from A Hursthouse 47 and I Shackleton 27, enabled Castleford to close their innings on 202 for 5.

In reply, Rowntrees were bowled out for 144 with P Wainwright taking 4 for 22.

Civil Service remain rooted to the bottom of the table following their trip to the coast and despite holding Bridlington to a draw.

Dogged knocks from R Wells (31) and Mick Bradley (29) helped Service to 117 for 8 in reply to Bridlington's first innings total of 223 for 6, forged in the main by E Younis's century of 101, ably supported by G McHale, who made 53 not out.

At Whitkirk, the home side were dismissed for just 95 against Goole with only Jeremy Bowman (45) offering any resistance as Dave England spun his web with 4 for 31 and A Johnson took 4 for 16.

Goole had little difficulty in knocking off the required runs with M Shipp's 37 not out securing a ten-wicket victory and 27 valuable points in their quest for promotion.

Bubwith were the visitors to Clifton Alliance and came away with an advantage draw after making 181 for 8.

R Hunter scored a timely 53 with assistance from D Burks (27) and J Sutton (27 not out) as A Wray took four Bubwith wickets for 51 Alliance.

In reply Clifton Alliance found little difficulty in gaining the draw with John Stevens (51) and John Bladen (30) ensuring safety in a closing total of 133 for 7, despite the efforts of R Hunter, who took 4 for 52.

- Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Evening Press there were no reports submitted on matches from divisions three, four and five of the Hunters Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League.