Despite still having three games still to play, Woodhouse Grange can already celebrate taking the second division title in their first year in the York and District Indoor League.

They have a two-point lead over nearest rivals Rowntrees 'B', but the York side has only one fixture left and has a far inferior run rate.

Rowntrees need to win their final game against Osbaldwick to ensure the runners-up spot. However should Osbaldwick win the encounter in two weeks time and also win their other two fixtures, they would take second place.

Woodhouse paceman Ashley Quinn took 2 for 7 as Rowntrees 'B' got off to a bad start in the crucial game.

Tony Thomson then played a superb innings of 68no, the highest in the division this season, hitting 35 in the last three overs to take his side to a competitive 92-4. Paul Grewer collected the other two wickets for 22 runs.

Former Rowntrees player Steve Thompson was dismissed off the first ball of the innings by a one-handed catch on the back wall. He fell to Geoff Walls who then gained a stumping on the way to a 2-27 return.

Simon Dwyer was run out for 22 as the Grange looked vulnerable at 27-3 but Grewer made 30no and Paul Townsley 22 as Woodhouse reached their target with three balls to spare to gain a two-wicket win.

Earlier Grange had beaten Stillington by four wickets with Grewer making 27no, Simon Dwyer 25no and Townsley 18no. Stillington's John Carr made 43 and Jason Dale 19 as their side became the first team to make over 100 against the Grange. Townsley took 2-19 to help dismiss Stillington for 103.

Stillington's generosity backfired when they allowed Bolton Percy to use a substitute fielder and lost by 14 runs. Bolton's openers each reached the retirement stage with Nick Lister making 28no and Colin Thacker 25no as Bolton's five men made 88-3.

In reply, Shammy Dissanayake made 21 and Dave Allitt 24 but they were all out for 74.

Thirsk have improved tremendously over the season and are now a real force to reckon with. The five youngsters under Des Wyrill's command have moulded into an extremely useful side and proved this with a convincing victory over Rowntrees 'B', followed by their fifth win at the expense of Bolton Percy.

Against Rowntrees, Oliver Grant hit 47no, Wyrill 25no, John Cook 23no and Dean Bramley 22 in a big score of 131-3. Chris Todd claimed 2-30, while Geoff Walls bowled a good three-over spell which only cost 16 as he eluded the run spree.

For Rowntrees, Kev Palmer made 24 before falling to Cook who took 3-19. Rowntrees then adopted a damage limitation exercise with a view to preserving their run average and closed on 76-4.

Once again a lack of urgency throughout the day meant the final game had to be reduced to ten overs per side, almost certainly preventing Des Wyrill from notching a half century. The veteran, who has the best batting average in the history of the competition, had made 46no out of his side's 78-4.

Bolton Percy collapsed to 47 all out in eight overs with only Colin Thacker (21) showing any resilience.

Updated: 12:07 Wednesday, January 31, 2001