COLIN Frank hit 158 not out, a Hunters Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League record, for Pickering in their premier division encounter with Osbaldwick, but it was still not enough for victory.

Well supported by Brian Leckenby's 78 and T Keane's 38 not out, Frank's gigantic knock enabled the home side to post a formidable looking 284 for 2 at tea.

However, plucky Osbaldwick set about their task with gusto.

In the end, the visitors had to settle for a draw but fell just 33 runs short of victory with S Boyle (90) the main scorer with useful contributions from Ian Wilson (41), Andy Hall (40) and M Thompson (34).

Dunnington, who finished on 224 for 5, extended their lead at the top of the division by two points with an advantage draw at home to Heworth, who also displayed stubborn resistance to close on 182 for 9.

Second-placed Clifton Alliance piled on the runs against Acomb as both Darren Reeves with 89 and Simon Dywer with 54 racked up half-centuries while Duncan Naylor also contributed a useful 25 not out in a total of 233 for 5.

In reply, Acomb found the going tough but Chris Simpson's knock of 35 and Paul Hemingway, with 37 not out, guided them to a draw at 133 for 5.

At Thirsk, the home captain Dave Greenlay had a satisfying afternoon against Whitkirk.

Greenlay scored an exact century in his side's 215 for 6.

He then displayed similar talent with the ball, taking 5 for 71.

His afternoon was made all the sweeter when the last Whitkirk batsman was dismissed with the last ball of the game by M Wainwright to give Thirsk the full 30-point win.

Easingwold meanwhile posted a challenging target when entertaining bottom club Ripon thanks to a fine century from D Smith.

His 134 was the mainstay of an innings that finished on 244 for 6.

In reply, Neil Jackson produced the second century of the match with a knock of 117 to give Ripon the whiff of victory but he lacked sufficient allies to force the win, the innings closing on 201 for 6.

Jason Sergeant, with 3 for 61, and Alan Robinson, with 3 for 30, were the pick of the home bowlers.

Woodhouse Grange just failed to win at Sheriff Hutton Bridge after Jonathon Bean made 75, Nick Hadfield 25, Lee Wild 43 and Mick Burdett 36 as Grange posted 217 for 7 at tea.

Bridge bowler K Rodgers did most to keep the Grange batsmen in check with a productive spell of 4 for 57.

When Bridge took to the crease Paul Oldfield with 36, Steve Crowder with 25 and P Mellows-Facer with 27 made useful contributions as wickets fell regularly but the Woodhouse bowlers could not take the final wicket and had to settle for the best of a draw.

In division one, the East Yorkshire derby between leaders Beverley and Driffield ended in a tie.

Beverley must have fancied their chances of strengthening their lead at the top as their bowlers, most notably Shaun Lightowler (4-55) and I Sugden (3-36), restricted Driffield to a not insurmountable185 for 8.

Most of Driffield's runs had come from the bat of Phil Woodcock, who scored an impressive 53, with support from C Chapman, 38, and M Tennant, 36.

Beverley's reply owed much to J Mitchell's 73 and R Taylor's 27 while P Parnaby's 35 not out proved significant as they too closed on 185.

However, it is not clear from the details received whether they were all out, or indeed this was at the conclusion of the 45 overs.

Crayke moved into second place following a six-wicket victory over Duncombe Park.

W Mallory top scored with 53 in Park's 177 all out as Mick Hutchinson did the damge with the ball for Crayke taking 3 for 74.

Crayke's Andrew Dawson set about the Park bowling with gusto but fell just three runs short of his century.

Dawson could take consolation in the fact his knock and Hutchinson's 26 not out took there team to a convincing win.

Runs were plentiful at Sessay where Dringhouses gained an advantage draw.

Chris Evans' 74, together with useful knocks of 43 from Alistair Darnell and a half-century from John Crowe, saw Dringhouses rack up 205 for 8 C Evans.

S Langstaff did most to keep 'Houses' run-making in check by taking 5 for 86.

When Sessay batted, Darnell (3-57) and Evans (4-40) proved as menacing with ball as bat as Dringhouses moved in for the kill.

However, fine resistance from John Flintoff with 72 and Matthew Till (50) helped Sessay to a draw at 200 for 9.

The Pocklington batsmen found the home pitch to their liking taking first knock at home to Carlton Towers. They made 200 for 3 thanks in the main to S Howson's 68 not out, M Beens' 62 and Kevin Hinch's 41 not out.

After tea, Stuart Coleman with 38 and Paul Wright with 30 held the Carlton innings together and despite Mike Newhouse taking 5 for 49 and 3 for 41 from Andy Innes Pocklington could not force the win as Carlton closed on 171 for 8.

Stamford Bridge continued their climb up the table when away to Stillington, who were dismissed for 136.

Only J Carr of the home batsmen showing any resistance with 28 as Graham Tipping took 7 for 62 and Shaun Veysey 3 for 44 for Bridge.

Although losing four wickets in reply, 27 from both Pete Aconley and Fraser Clarkson saw Stamford record their fifth win of the season.

Wilberfoss plunged to the foot of the division following their trip to Clifton Park, where they were sent back into the pavilion after scoring just 109.

York found little difficulty in getting the required runs.

They lost only three wickets as Ed Senneck's 43 and Dave Catlow's 27 keeps York squarely in the promotion picture.