Clifton Alliance took a major step towards winning their first title since 1999 when they beat relegation-haunted Malton and Old Malton by ten wickets.

With nearest rivals Dunnington frustrated by the weather at Woodhouse Grange, Alliance doubled their lead to 42 points.

Malton failed to bag any batting points when they were knocked over for only 95 in 24.4 overs with James Postill 7-33.

Dave Taylor then outstripped his Australian partner Danny Harris as he reached 62 in an unbroken stand of 96 while Harris contributed an unbeaten 30 to Clifton's ten wicket triumph.

Easingwold fielded a much depleted side for their home encounter with Pickering due to the wedding of Dan Copeland, who had five team-mates amongst his guest list.

Despite the absentees, Easingwold won by 62 runs. Jonathon Marwood was Easingwold's star performer with the bat, making 56. However, Charlie Marwood took 3-43 and Ady Boyes 4-29 and, with Easingwold all out for 141 the game was in Pickering's favour at the halfway stage.

That proved to be misplaced optimism when league sponsor Keith Hollinrake answered a call to arms after a number of years absence from first team ranks by producing his best ever premiership figures by claiming 5-10 with his leg breaks. With paceman Jason Sargeant bagging 3-15, Pickering collapsed to 79 all out.

Bottom-placed Osbaldwick batted first in a 32-over game at Sessay and reached a respectable 145-7 through the efforts of Mick Hammerton (28), Paul Finnie (49) and Richie Carew (32). Sessay's reply lacked momentum as three wickets fell but the pairing of Dave Johnson, with 60no, and skipper Richard Till, who made 35no, added an unbroken 74 in just ten overs to clinch a seven-wicket win with 11 balls to spare.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge overcame a series of rain interruptions which nibbled away at their over allocation to earn a draw over Acomb.

Mike Smith made 25 to help Bridge make a steady start as they reached 68-1 in an interrupted 28 overs. Further rain breaks eventually cut the overs to 40 but Paul Oldfield made a solid 58 and Paul Scaling weighed in with 25 before a collapse saw six wickets fall for only eight runs as the hosts were bowled out for 161 in the final over. Dave Sykes turned in a competitive spell to gain 6-61.

Teenage wicketkeeper Adam Fisher then pouched two catches to remove both Acomb openers cheaply and wickets continued to tumble with Dave Houldridge claiming four victims to reduce Acomb to 24-5. Sanjay Rodrigo made 23 before falling hit wicket to Paul Oldfield, who eventually closed with 3-25. His figures were bettered by Houldrige, who had 4-29, but a determined knock by Matt Dickinson, which saw him make 39, and an unbeaten 19 from Dave Sykes robbed the home team of victory as Acomb closed at 126-8.

Dunnington lost ground on the leaders when their game at Woodhouse Grange was abandoned after they had made 38 without loss.

Beverley's championship dream also suffered a setback when their home game with Heworth was called off after just 8.1 overs.

Updated: 11:40 Monday, August 15, 2005