ROWNTREES swept back to the top of the fifth division when they recorded a ten wicket victory in the only completed game in the section.

Despite their successful season, Rowntrees were only able to field ten men against local rivals New Earswick but were soon in command after electing to field.

Earswick skipper Paul Coull made a patient 27 against tight bowling by Paul Harrison and Dominic Atkinson but was unable to prevent his side slumping to 65-5 in 32 overs.

Earswick's fortunes were revived by John Routledge, who made 25 and Adam Hewitson whose no nonsense approach saw him make 25 before being bowled off the final delivery of the innings as Earswick closed on 123-8. Paul Harrison bowled throughout to take 4-40 in 22 overs.

With four of the top five batsmen absent, Duncan Robertson responded to the invitation to open the innings and hit eight boundaries in an unbeaten 47. With Andy Main including four successive fours in his 11 boundaries as he made 71no, Rowntrees won by 10 wickets in 29 overs with the New Earswick side deserving credit for continuing in extremely unpleasant conditions.

Two promotion-chasing sides met at Stillington where a rained affected draw was an unsatisfactory outcome for both sides. Cawood had the worst of the play that was possible as they stood at 90-8 when the game was called off, nevertheless they move into second place 16 points behind Rowntrees but having played a game more than the leaders.

For Cawood, Howard Steen made 29no whilst Matthew Coulson took 4-35 for Stillington.

Stamford Bridge's Andy Winfield recorded one of the better bowling performances of the day when his 6-47 in 22 overs restricted Dringhouses to 132-8 in another clash of promotion hopefuls. Kevin McGuinness made 32 for Dringhouses but Stamford's promotion bid ended with their inadequate 11 points reward.

Hovingham had struggled to 50-3 in 35 overs at Bolton Percy when the game was terminated, while the result of the game between bottom placed Thorp Arch and Boston Spa and Civil Service has not been received.