The West Indian duo of Collis King and Alvin Kallicharran tipped the balance in favour of current holders Dunnington who defeated Heworth by 17 runs in the first round of the Hunters Estate Agent York and District Senior League Knockout Cup.

King made 49 and Kallicharran 50 to counter Graham Hayward's three for 17 as Dunnington reached 152 for five. Heworth skipper Dave Simpson responded with 56 but King's three for 26 was aided by John McHale (three for 32) and Steve Precious (two for 34) to restrict Heworth to 135 for nine.

A century by Richard Sykes made sure that last season's runners-up, Acomb, also progressed to the last eight with a 51-run win over Pocklington.

Andy Tute hit 38 and Chris Simpson 40 for the York side, but the star turn was Sykes who made an unbeaten 102 to help his side reach 216 for two. While no Pocklington batsman reached 25, most made a contribution as they responded with 165 for nine.

Sykes' effort was eclipsed by Osbaldwick's Steve Jackson who hit 126 not out against Ripon. Other good knocks came from Dave Cooper who made 33 and Gawain Hogg 26 as a total of 222 for four was posted.

Ripon were never likely to reach their target as Stuart Boyle claimed four for 49 and closed on 165 for eight.

Old rivals were in opposition at Thirsk where Sheriff Hutton Bridge had to thank an unbeaten 46 from skipper Steve Crowder for their modest 109 for eight.

When Thirsk batted, Lincoln McCrae fell for 36, but Neil Stephenson with 40no and Dave Greenlay 30no took their side to a convincing victory without further mishap.

The two leading first division sides clashed at Beverley where visiting York recorded a seven-wicket win. Kent Stone took three for 16 and John Cook three for 24 as Beverley were dismissed for 112, Tim Fordon making 31. Dave Catlow with 44 and Shaun Gorman 36 then eased York to their target.

Pickering, who are struggling in the premier division, gave their season some impetus with a good win at Easingwold who were bowled out for 135. Dan Copeland was the only home batsman to prosper, making 31 as Australian Tim Keane captured four for 26.

Paul Redshaw tried to make amends for his colleagues' batting deficiencies by taking three for 21 but Chris Nicholls made 38 as a prelude to an unbeaten 56 from Colin Frank which took Pickering to a six-wicket win.

The game between Clifton Alliance and Whitkirk was postponed as the latter had a number of players representing the league, while the result of the game between Driffield and Woodhouse Grange has not been received.