Cricket: Ruthless Alliance seize their chance

James Postill took 3 for 25 and Paul Clary 4 for 37 to dismiss Easingwold for 71 as an overture to a comfortable win for Clifton.

By far the most exciting game took place at Whitkirk where visiting Pocklington gained a thrilling victory off the last ball of the match with their last pair at the wicket. Craig Shipton hit 111 for Whitkirk, sharing a partnership of similar value with Robert Horner (39) which helped their side to 211-4. Pocklington's batsmen then took up the challenge through Kevin Hinch (77), D O'Gram (32) and Andy Inns (31). Whitkirk's Tony Nicholson claimed 5 for 45 but was unable to prevent a Pocklington victory.

Heworth's overseas star Mohammed Sarfraz Akhtar added another 87 runs to his name to reach the 1000 runs mark as his team made 192-7 at Pickering. He then saw his skipper Martin Sigsworth almost bowl Heworth to victory with 6-23 as the home side escaped defeat at 156-9.

Osbaldwick boosted their chances of finishing in second place when they had a seven wicket win over a Thirsk side who were dismissed for 105 by Steve Machen (5-27). Ross Gowland then made 54no as Osbaldwick ran on to win by seven wickets.

The bottom two sides met at Clifton Park were Driffield's nine wicket win should ensure Premiership safety at the expense of hosts York. Richard Musgrave made 52 for York, but A Good's 5 for 30 had them all out for 132. Phil Woodcock then hit an unbeaten 83 to clinch a Driffield win which opens up an almost unassailable 51 point gap over their opponents. With Dunnington having been relegated for disciplinary reasons, this gap should ensure that Driffield avoid the drop to division one.

Acomb edged closer to the first division title with an advantage draw over Crayke thanks to an unbeaten 113 from Richard Sykes and 86 from Bradman Ediriweera. The Sri Lankan then took 3 for 61 and now requires just a couple of wickets to reach a 1000 runs - 50 wickets double. Sheriff Hutton Bridge's 12 run win at Sessay gives then a 27 point cushion over third placed Duncombe Park in the bid to step up to the Premiership.

Second division champions Wilberfoss were beaten at home by lowly Osbaldwick II who may yet escape relegation if the Dunnington issue results in only two, rather than the previously agreed three teams being relegated. Ripon are certain to gain promotion in second place following their victory at Heworth and Scarborough's defeat by Stillington.

There were two tied games when Harrogate reached 145-7, chasing Clifton Alliance's 145-8 in division two and Acomb and Heslington were both bowled out for 105 at Heslington in division three. In this division, South African Charles Van Aswegan hit 85 and took 6-29 as Tadcaster Magnet beat Easinwold. York R.I. failed to raise a side for there trip to Bolton Percy.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge's Vic Klays created a new club record when he hit an unbeaten 164 against Sessay II in division four, while Matt Keel took 8 for 50 to bowl New Earswick to defeat at Tadcaster Magnet II. The Easingwold club, however, had some satisfaction when their second string recorded their first win of the season with a seven wicket triumph over Bolton Percy in division five.

Carlton Towers raced to victory in division three when, after dismissing Thorp Arch for 33 they took three overs to gain a 10 wicket victory.

The penalties handed to Dunnington in the way of relegation and the requirement to seek re-election, coupled with the probably resignation from the league of Bedale have thrown up numerous alternatives regarding promotion and relegation and the league committee will need to closely examine all possibilities in order to reach the most practical solution. In the meantime Dunnington's opponents are to receive the 24 points which are awarded for a forfeited game.

The possible premier division title deciding game at Clifton Alliance turned out to be an extremely low scoring game as home bowlers James Postill (3-25) and Paul Clary (4-37) ripped out Easingwold for a mere 71. Clifton didn't find it plain sailing as they lost four wickets in achieving a victory which leaves them 50 points ahead of their opponents in a virtually unassailable position. Clifton's Ben Higgins was only able to score 27 of the 34 runs he required to overtake Richard Clayton's top flight record of 1088 runs set in 1996.

Craig Shipton hit a 'Nelson' century as he made 111 in Whitkirk's 221-4 but, nevertheless, found himself on the losing side when Pocklington won a thrilling game by one wicket off the last ball.

Shipton and Rob Horner shared a 111 run partnership but their efforts were surpassed as Kevin Hinch hit 77, D O'Gram 32 and Andy Inns 31.

Whitkirk's Tony Nicholson took 5 for 45 but Pocklington's last pair were able to steal victory with a last ball boundary.

Heworth's overseas star Mohammed Sarfraz Akhtar became the second Premier batsman to reach a thousand runs when he moved to 1012 with 87 at Pickering. Paul Mosey, with 39 and Paul Hemmingway, who made 34no, helped the visitors to 192-7 as Mal Yates took 3-37. Colin Frank led Pickering's response with 38 but Heworth skipper Martin Sigsworth had the Pikes reeling with a seasonal best of 6 for 23. Despite this fine spell Pickering's last pair held on for a draw as Heworth again failed to add to their disappointing two victories of the season.

Bottom two sides York and Driffield did battle at Clifton Park where a home defeat ensured York's fall from grace but, almost certainly, saves Driffield. Richard Musgrave made 52 for York who were bowled out for 132 as A Good took 5 for 30.

Driffield lost A Morfitt for 26 but Phil Woodcock reached his sixth half century and his seasonal best in making 83no to see Driffield to a nine wicket victory, leaving York as the only side without a victory in the whole league.

Osbaldwick kept their hopes of gaining the runners-up spot alive with a seven wicket victory over an under-par Thirsk side who were bowled out for 105 as Steve Machen took 5-27. Ross Gowland then made 54no and his 7th half century saw Osbaldwick to a seven wicket win.

Acomb's Richard Sykes joined former Sessay batsmen Brian Flintoff as joint leading century maker when he made an unbeaten 113 against Crayke in division one. Sykes' third ton of the season, added to Bradman Ediriweera's 86 and Steve Simpson's 31, helped the first division leaders to a prolific 259-3 as Crayke's bowlers struggled.

However the visiting batsmen then, too, found the conditions to their liking and three Crayke batsmen hit half centuries as they responded with 210-6.

Andy Dawson top scored with 74, Jonathan Wright made 59 and Mick Hutchinson 55 whilst the wickets were shared equally between Dave Sykes (3-33) and Ediriweera (3-61).

Sheriff Hutton Bridge took another major step towards premiership status when they won a close encounter at Sessay. Paul Scaling made 44 and Peter Crowder 26 as Bridge were dismissed for 152. Richard Till then responded with 59 but the scales were tipped in Bridge's favour by Nick Ogden (4-47) and Mark Hinder (3-28) who were able to dismiss Sessay for 140 and gain 28 points for the winners.

This reward was one more than the 27 points gained by Bridge's promotion rivals Duncombe Park who are 27 points behind despite beating Civil Service by four wickets. Service were bowled out for 129 by Gary Brent who took 3-32 and Merrick Mulvihill who had 3 for 9.

Former Acomb player Dave Randall then caused problems for the home batters as he took 5 for 30 but Richard Simpson hit a decisive 58.

Relegated Hovingham crashed to their 12th defeat, going down to Beverley Town by nine wickets after being dismissed for 130. Jonty Rounthwaite made 34 as Ian Sugden claimed 4-31. Beverley then lost Andy Burton for 38 but Rob Taylor's unbeaten 83 took Town to a nine wicket victory.

The other relegated side, Bedale, had the better of a draw at Dringhouses where they were thwarted by the home side's last pair. Ian Bews had taken 6 for 48 as Bedale reached 148-8 with Andy Hwkswell making 34 and Kev Clapham 33.

Veteran Phil Staves then claimed 4 for 28 and P Williams 3 for 26, but Andrew Darnell helped Dringhouses to a draw at 129-9 with an unbeaten 25 after Chris Evans had shown earlier resistance with 30.

With their ground unavailable, Harrogate entertained Clifton Alliance at Civil Service in division two where the two sides served up a draw. Former Yorkshire player Peter Kippax took 4-32 and R Rawlings supported with 3-58 as Clifton were restricted to 145-8. Rawlings then followed with 61 but Kevin Ambrosen claimed 3 for 27 and the game was tied when Harrogate closed at 145-7.

Scarborough's ground was also unavailable due to the forthcoming Festival and they utilised Huby's ground for their 'home' game with Stillington. Scarborough reached 193-6 thanks to Andy Gallagher's 62 and Chris Allen's unbeaten 72 as Collis King claimed 4 for 63.

Stillington's batsmen took up the challenge and reached their target for the loss of only three wickets through Stuart Reynolds (81) and Dave Allitt who made 23no.

Wilberfoss, who made certain of the divisional title last week, suffered a surprise defeat when Osbaldwick II emerged triumphant with two wickets in hand. Dave Gilbertson made 35 and John Myers 36, but leg spinner Diran Joshi turned in a fine spell to claim 7 for 45 as Wilberfoss were all out for 107. Kev Davison then tried to salvage the game in taking 4 for 20 but Osbaldwick eased to victory at 108-8.

At Bubwith, Rowntree's player Gerry Capelin made an unbeaten 65 but his team-mates lent scant support as Simon Lazenby took 4-33 and Mark Horsbrough 5-39, with Rowntrees being all out for 118. Overseas star Horsbrough then hit a whirlwind 69 off 33 balls in 37 minutes of mayhem to cancel the efforts of Brian Burton who took 4-22 and Neil Davidson (3-28) and Bubwith won by three wickets.

Ripon virtually clinched promotion with a seven wicket win at Heworth for whom Dave Freeman made 41no as Paul Mason took 3-50. Rob Hawley led Ripon's reply with 53 before Phil Newcombe 49no and Peter Squires 22no clinched victory.

The second tied game of the day occurred in division three at Heslington where both sides were dismissed for 105. Acomb fell to Mick Firth who had 5-33 and Simon Anderson who took 3-32, then John Renshaw claimed 5-49 and Chris Mead 3 for 14 as Heslington mirrored their opponent's total.

There was an exciting finish at Selby where the home side just failed to match Whitkirk's 200-5, drawing at 198-6. Whitkirk's runs came from Nick Edgecock (54), Steve Pickles (43), D Stone (46no) and M Sparling (36). Eddie Rosa led Selby's reply with 67no with Ian Lake (36) and Peter Hoyle (49) in support. J Leece just tipped the scales in the visitor's favour with 4-46.

The bottom two sides in the division met at Huntington where the home team just got the better of a nine man Huby side in a low scoring game. Huby were only able to make 79 as Wally Baynes took 5-35 and Steve Beales 3 for 40. Chris Cundall then hit back with 5-28 but Huntington edged to victory at 80-8.

South African Charles Van Aswegan towered like a colossus over the game at Easingwold, his all-round ability enabling Tadcaster to win by 76 runs. Aswegan hit a top score of 85 as he and Willie Walker, who made 61, helped Magnet to 229-9 and then took 6 for 29 to dismiss Easingwold for 153. Alan Robinson made 63 for the losers with team made Paul Skilbeck following his 3-58 with 31 whilst M Alford took 4-32 to support Van Aswegan.

Carlton Towers had a remarkable victory over Thorp Arch which ensured the third division title for the Snaith club. Thorp Arch's batsmen found runs virtually impossible to find as they struggled for 30 overs to muster a total of only 33. Paul Day took 4 for 12 off 15 overs and Rob Watson claimed 3 for 9 off 21 balls. Carlton's Paul Wright then showed how to score runs when he rattled 30no as Carlton reached their winning 34 for 0 in just three overs.

In division five, Carlton Towers extended their unbeaten run to 18 games when they completed the double over Thorp Arch & Boston Spa. Simon Boddye included eight maidens in a 17 over spell which earned him 4 for 15 whilst 14 years old Chris Pitt took 4-71 as Thorp were bowled out for 94. In reply Martin Denby made 27 and, whilst Fred Williams claimed 3 for 42, Carlton won by seven wickets with no other Boston bowler able to claim success.

Shaun Linton took 5 for 23 to set up a six wicket win for Stillington over Hovingham, while New Earswick gained their first win of the season after bowling Bolton Percy out for 91. Tim Little (5-33) and Chris Smith (4-42) were those responsible then Andy Routledge made 56no as Earswick won by seven wickets.

At Cawood, John Futter made 44, T Nicholls 33, Alwyn Yorke 49 and John Yorke 26 as Dringhouses made 188-7. Steve Faulkner took 3-37 then made an unbeaten 56 in support of Richard Steane who hit 117no as their pair shared a 191 run second wicket partnership after Cawood's first wicket had fallen on nought, Cawood winning by nine wickets.

Selby made certain of second place when they beat third placed Rowntrees by three wickets. Both sides' early batsmen failed badly, Rowntrees slipping to 45-6 and, later, Selby to 55-6. But in Ian Armstrong Selby had the one player capable of playing a solid innings and his unbeaten 37, ably assisted by 26 extras saw Selby gain the upper hand.

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