ALL six Costcutter York and District Senior Cricket League premier division games were abandoned on Saturday with only two games managing to carry on after the tea break.

At Clifton Alliance, leading run scorer Joel Southam took his total to 769 runs when he hit his third century of the season. The Australian had reached an unbeaten 103 in just 30 overs against Pocklington and was on course for a really big hundred when the rain took over.

A useful partnership had developed with Darren Barton, who had made 29no, as Clifton reached 155-3 against Pocklington but the weather then ended Clifton's hoped of eroding Easingwold's lead at the top of the table.

Pickering were the only team in the top flight to complete their innings but were probably pleased to see the rain after being dismissed for 121 by Woodhouse Grange.

Brian Leckenby hit his third half century as he went past the 500 mark with a round 50 but Steve Burdett, with 6-27, and Terry Rollock (3-38) called the shots as the Pikes were dismissed for 121.

Woodhouse's reply had progressed to 17-1 when the match was abandoned.

Whitkirk's Mark Selth moved into second place in the run aggregate table when he made 59 at Osbaldwick which took him to 680 runs. Whitkirk had made 123-4 before their innings was terminated prematurely after 34 overs. Hosts Osbaldwick were able to reach 8 for 0 off two overs before the weather had the final word.

Acomb's Duminda Perera just had time to take his run tally over 500 as he made 60no before the game was abandoned after 28 overs with his side standing at 110-2 against Heworth. Acomb skipper Richard Clayton was also well settled, having made 28no and a big Acomb total seemed to be in the offing.

Leaders Easingwold had struggled to 36-2 in 16 and a half overs against Sheriff Hutton Bridge before the abandonment while the least play was at Thirsk where visiting Driffield had lost one wicket for just one run when the early termination took place.

Division two leaders Carlton Towers were, in all probability, denied their 12th win of the season when rain proved a saviour for a Scarborough side who were in deep trouble at 72-7.

Gary Jones made 29 as the Seasiders moved to 43-1 but Paul Wright (3-11) then triggered a dramatic collapse which saw five wickets tumble for just two runs as Scarborough nose-dived from 43-1 to 46-6. Carlton's other successful bowler was Steve Launders who claimed 3-30 in 11 overs.

At Woodhouse Grange, pacemen Peter Head found himself omitted from his club's premier division line-up but made his mark by hitting 69 against Stillington.

Dwayne Field took 4-60 but Chris Gladstone gave Head good support in making 40 as Woodhouse headed for maximum batting points. They were well on course for their target at 180-5 but their innings was aborted after 39-2 overs as Stillington accepted nine points to retain the second promotion place.

Osbaldwick's relegation to division three was confirmed when their game at Rowntrees was abandoned as they are now 106 points behind 10th placed Hovingham with only a maximum of 90 points to be played for.

The Rowntrees innings was terminated after 34 overs after Gerry Capelin 39, Paul Horner 30 and Shaun Marshall 37 had all made useful contributions to a total of 155-5.

After losing three early wickets at Bubwith, Clifton Alliance had recovered well to reach 122-3 thanks to a handy partnership between the youthful Nathan Briggs, who had made 70no, and Simon Corley, who was unbeaten on 27.

Bridlington were well placed to boost their promotion bid when an unbeaten 69 from David Watson had helped them to tea-time score of 170-9 at Hovingham. Mike Hemingway was the pick of the home bowers, taking 4-63 but his batsmen were prevented from commencing their reply.

The result of the Castleford v Harrogate game in not known.

PICTURE: TIMBER: Clifton Alliance batsman Dave Russell turns to see his off stump leaning back as he is bowled in the rain-hit premier division game against Pocklington on Saturday