Clifton Alliance are now favourites to win the Costcutter York and District Senior Indoor Cricket League title for the first time and so break Acomb's four year stranglehold.

Clifton have won all their four games since the league resumed after the Christmas break and now have a two point advantage over Acomb, a lead which, in effect, represents two victories due to Clifton's far superior runs per wicket average.

Clifton's four wins included a crucial two wicket victory over Acomb, thanks to an unbeaten 55 by Darren Barton which not only negated Mark bell's 3 for 22 but also cancelled out Scott Nicholls unbeaten 57 which represented the bulk of Acomb's 96-5.

Later, Paul Thorpe's return of 4-16 was the best bowling performance of the season and the tenth best in the history of the competition.

Thorpe's efforts had Dunnington all out for 63 as Alliance emerged winners by 30 runs and extended his position as top wicket taker in the league to well over 30 wickets.

Dunnington had a torrid time as they lost twice to Acomb and only gained one point from their four games when they and Wilberfoss played out a rare tied game as each side made 106-4.

Stamford Bridge pulled off a shock win when they easily beat Acomb to move off the foot of the division with their second victory. Steve Hunter hit an unbeaten 40 in Stamford's 111-2, then Ian Frazer grabbed three wickets for just four runs as Acomb crashed to 54 all out.

Stamford then lost to Sheriff Hutton Bridge despite reaching 107 all out thanks to 59 from Jonathan Stevens. Stamford were only able to field five players and paid the penalty as Peter Crowder hit an unbeaten 51 to ease Sheriff to a one wicket win.

The Sheriff side then came back down to earth with a vengeance as Clifton showed their strength by dismissing the Bridge for 42 and then racing topossibly the quickest ever win as they passed this modest total without loss in just five overs.

Rowntree 'A' kept their hopes of a runners-up place alive with victory over Wilberfoss, but like everyone else could not match the power of Clifton who need to win just two of their remaining four games to take the title.

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