Costcutter Cricket: Clifton clinch title with double century

The pair shared an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 202 as Higgins made 112 not out and Hunter 105 not out.

Early in the innings Higgins passed Richard Clayton's three-year-old record of 1,088 runs in the top flight, his fifth century taking him to 1,194 runs at an average of 74.63. Chasing Clifton's 254 for three, Osbaldwick were dismissed for 159.

After the penultimate games of the season, many teams are now aware of their fate although some issues are likely to be unresolved due to the possibility of Bedale leaving the league and the uncertainty regarding Dunnington's re-election at the annual general meeting.

However, Acomb, Wilberfoss and Carlton Towers are champions of division one, two and three, with Carlton also taking the fifth division honours.

The only divisional title still to be decided is the fourth where long time leaders Cawood have been overtaken by Londesbrough Park who have opened up a 16 point gap at a crucial stage of the season.

On the relegation front, bottom place, has been confirmed for York from the premier division, Hovingham in division one, Dunnington II in division two and Sessay in division four, while New Earswick II and Civil Service II will be required to seek re-election due to ending in the bottom two in division five.

In the premier division, Pocklington bowler Mike Newhouse took seven for 36 against his old club Woodhouse Grange whose league form in advance of their 6X National Village Cup final appearance at Lords next Sunday is leaving much to be desired.

Newhouse's efforts saw Grange all out for 131 leaving Pocklington to move a four wicket win as Andy Inns made 61 Ian Camwell 31. Two Woodhouse bowlers took three wickets, Rich Burdett three for 22 and Paul Grewer three for 30.

Two sides who have had extremely disappointing seasons met at Whitkirk where a home victory erased any lingering relegation worries while ensuring that 1998 champions Heworth would end in the bottom half. Brian Smithson made 62 and James Bowman 39 to help Whitkirk to 194 all out as Paul Hemmingway claimed five for 47 and Sarfraz Akhtar three for 46.

Heworth's batsmen than failed to register as Robert Horner (3-43) and P Glover (2-19) made inroads before the York side's innings was cut off by Whitkirk skipper Simon Bowman who took four wickets without conceding a single run.

Thirsk's veteran batsman Des Wyrill, having gone into the Bank Holiday weekend with a batting average of 136, bounced back from his early dismissal on Saturday to make an unbeaten 48 as his side struggled to a modest 138 for seven against the bowling of Simon Winterbottom who took four for 50.

Skipper Dave Greenlay supported with a valuable 40 then produced a devastating spell of bowling which destroyed visiting Driffield. Greenlay claimed six for 16 and, with Barry Petty taking four for 31, Driffield were bowled out for 49.

Rain curtailed play in the game between Easingwold and York with the overs eventually stabilising at 32 per side. York's batsmen made scant progress as Kirk Powell took four for 43 and Jason Sargeant three for 14 and their eventual 86 for eight was no problem for Easingwold. With Jonathan Marwood making 36 not out and Tom Darnell 29 not out, Easingwold won by eight wickets.

Acomb confirmed their first division title by beating Stamford Bridge by seven wickets as Bradman Ediriweera made 71 and Richard Sykes 39. Earlier Dave Sykes had taken three for 30 as Stamford made 156 for nine, Fraser Clarkson (36) top scoring.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge require three points from their final game, at home to Stamford Bridge, to earn promotion to the top flight after out-playing Crayke in a shortened game.

Good innings from Paul Oldfield (52), Steve Crowder (76) and Peter Crowder (34) ensured the Bridge got full batting points. Paul Moore took three for 54 as the visitorstotal made 207 for seven. New Zealander Glen Jones took five for 26 as Crayke struggled to a draw.

Bridge's promotion rivals Duncombe Park earned the same number of points when they were held to a draw at Bedale. Zimbabwean Gary Brent made an unbeaten 116, while Peter Humpleby added 51 to a total of 229 for nine. Phil Staves took five for 60.

In reply, Craig Brown made 33 and Rich Grainger 38 but Brent claimed three for 28 and Paul Wilkie three for 17 as Bedale drew at 106 for eight.

Dringhouses bowler Ian Bews had another five wicket haul when he took five for 62 at Beverley, Mick Kenyon assisted with four for 29, helping to dismiss the hosts for 145. Paul Parnaby top scored with 49. Dringhouses moved to a seven wicket victory with Paul Cannings making 51 not out and Mal Cannings 49 not out.

The Tills of Sessay matched the Cannings as their team won by 60 runs at Goole. Matthew made 72 and Richard 34 in Sessay's 158 for seven before Goole were all out for 98.

In division two, Rowntree opener Richard Tuite sacrificed the chance of joining the select rank of players who have scored two centuries against the same opposition in a week, Woodhouse Grange, when he was caught as he tried to push for full batting points.

Tuite had made 86 in 110 minutes when he perished, Rowntree just reaching the 200 mark for seven. Colin Johnson led the Woodhouse Grange challenge with 72. Neil Davison stopped Grange's victory run with four for 42 but it needed a last over wicket maiden from Dave Thompson to hold Woodhouse to 191 for nine.

Champions Wilberfoss were only able to gain a draw at Stillington for whom Collis King hit 80 and Stuart Reynolds 49 in a total of 188 for six. Kev Davison was the most successful Foss bowler with four for 55. In reply Dave Gilbertson hit 68 and Mike Stothard 34 but King took three for 43 and Wilberfoss settled for safety at 152 for five.

Scarborough gained full batting points against Clifton Alliance but were unable to force a win as the Alliance followed the Seasiders 200 for six with 181 for eight. For Scarborough, C Gilbert made 50 not out and Andy Gallagher 47 while Adam Clark with 54 and Simon Hill 49 were Alliance's batting heroes.

Ripon gained maximum batting points in an advantage draw with Bubwith which ensured promotion to division one.

Harrogate tied at Osbaldwick, making 193 for four against their opponents' 193 for eight.

Harrogate's Paul Phillips was top scorer with 90 with team mate R Rawlings making 48. On the Osbaldwick front, M Dunne made 52 and Richard Carew 48 while Rawlings claimed three for 71 and Marcus Fox four for 63 for Harrogate.

Tadcaster Magnet's journey up the third division table has taken them into second place and may yet gain promotion. South African Charles van Aswegan played a significant part as the Brewers claimed a seven wicket victory at Huntington. Aswegan took six for 26 to dismiss the hosts for 134 then John Walwyn hit 48 and Dave Lord 39 not out to ensure a Magnet win.

Leaders Carlton Towers had to be satisfied with an advantage draw when they entertained Whitkirk but this caused no concern as the divisional title was already safe.

York RI bounced back from being unable to raise a side on Saturday to inflict a shattering blow to Selby's hopes of finishing second. Selby bowler Chris Young performed the hat-trick in his return of five for 44 but RI made 142 thanks to Wayne Kirkby 43 and Paul Stephenson 39. They sent Selby packing for 98.

Easingwold's Les Waterson hit an unbeaten 110 as his side gained the better of a draw with Acomb.

Heslington bowlers Mick Firth who took seven for 44 and Ashley Quinn three for 45 bowled their side to a 82 run victory at Huby after P Neale with 56 not out and Chris Dower 37 had set a first innings total of 187 for eight.

Steve Temple steered Bolton Percy to a draw against Thorp Arch with an unbeaten 35.

A devastating spell of bowling by Londesbrough Park skipper Phil Curtis earned his side a nine wicket win against Sheriff Hutton and took Londesbrough to pole position in division four. Yapham did them a favour by beating long time leaders Cawood who now find themselves 16 points adrift.

New Earswick banished the prospects of their first team being relegated to the fifth division to the detriment of the second eleven when they had much the better of a draw with Pocklington.

J Kendalll hit 65 and Mal Harper 64 as Thirsk reached 210 for seven at Sessay who were able to hold out for a draw at 129 for nine.

The fourth tied game of the Bank Holiday weekend occurred at Sheriff Hutton Bridge where Stamford Bridge followed a home total of 157 all out with 157 for six.

The top two sides in division five met in a game which saw second placed Selby gain the better of a draw against unbeaten Carlton Towers.

Rowntree made virtually certain of third place with the better of a draw with Bolton Percy.

Dringhouses batsman John Crowe hit an unbeaten 105 in his team's victory against Hovingham.

Having broken their duck on Saturday, New Earswick chalked up their second win when they triumphed by eight wickets at Thorp Arch while Civil Service gained the better of a draw as Cawood completed their programme.

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