BY far the most cricket was played in the fourth division where two games were played to a conclusion and three of the remaining four games saw completed first innings.

Probably the most important result was Sheriff Hutton Bridge's nine wicket victory over fellow strugglers Selby as the 25 points bagged by Bridge offers a lifeline in their bid to avoid being one of the three relegated sides.

Phil Jolly scored over half of Selby's 131-6 as he made 76 but his efforts brought scant reward as Steve Clipston (59no) and Mike Willink (53no) proved to be a match-winning combination.

The other completed game was at Huntington where the home side gained the better of a draw in a closely fought game with Thirsk. Len Watson made a top score of 25 in Huntington's seemingly modest 110-4 but Steve Beales with 4-59 and Wally Baynes 4-41 kept the Thirsk batsmen in shackles.

Kevin Vollans made 49 for Thirsk but his fellow batsmen were unable to score the nine required off the last over as the innings ended at 106-8.

Sheriff Hutton were the only side to earn full batting points when a half century from John Armitage (54) helped them make 201-6 against a Tadcaster Magnet side for whom Matthew Keel took 5-59. Other worthwhile Sheriff contributors were Ben Tompkins (35), Paul Wright (31) and Chris Dodsworth who made an unbeaten 37. The weather prevented Tadcaster from mounting a response and leaves the Brewers deep in relegation trouble.

Another game within the area which seems to have had marginally the best weather saw Huby progress to 111-1 thanks to Tom Piercy's undefeated 66 and 29no from Darren Howell. However, this game had to be aborted after 23 overs.

The tea-time abandonment of the crucial top of the table battle at Yapham severely dented the home side's hopes of overhauling their opponents New Earswick to claim the sole promotion place. Chris Stimpson 41 and James Routledge 27 helped Earswick to 171-8 with Clive Clark's 4-56 being the best return for the Yapham bowlers.

Carlton Towers were dragged nearer to the relegation zone when their game at Pocklington became another tea-time victim of the weather. Home bower Phil Eastwood took 4-49 as Carlton made 152-8 with Dennis Graves hitting 47 and Hartley Heard 30.