SHERIFF Hutton Bridge may be on the way to Lord's but they were unable to get past Dunnington, whose Hamed Khan excelled in the Hunters the estate agent York and District Senior Cricket league premier division duel.

Khan cracked an undefeated 110 to seal a nine-wicket win to keep Dunnington's title hopes on track.

Bridge opener Paul Oldfield was caught off the first ball of the match when his side batted first at Dunnington only to benefit from a Dave Kitching no-ball. He went on to make 43, sharing a second-wicket stand of 95 with Steve Crowder, who reached a seasonal best of 75.

Bridge's 198-7, however, offered few problems for the hosts who reached 98 before Simon Kellett fell for 51. But his opening partner Khan safely saw Dunnington home.

A rather strange game at Pickering saw the home side emerge with the worst of a draw against leaders Clifton Alliance despite losing only one wicket.

Clifton were given a sound start when Danny Harris (34) and Dave Taylor (81) put on 115 for the first wicket before being parted. Their total was further enhanced by Simon Corley (27) and 43 from skipper Richard Musgrave to post a 247-6 total.

Adie Boyes, who went in to this week's round of matches perched on the top of the bowling averages, took 3-66 for Pickering, who quickly lost Mark Shepherd for 32.

But this proved to be the only wicket to fall after tea as Paul Witty made 95no and Colin Frank 58no in an unbroken stand of 134 which took Pickering to full batting points at 202-1. They also denied Clifton seven points as their lead over Dunnington was clipped to 35 points.

Any lingering hopes Easingwold may have had of retaining their title evaporated when they suffered a last-over defeat at the hands of Malton & Old Malton, whose 45-run win gives them real hope of avoiding relegation.

Their survival chances are also likely to be boosted next Saturday when they are due to meet fellow strugglers Sheriff Hutton Bridge whose entire first team squad will be unavailable due to the Bridge's participation on Bank Holiday Sunday in the National Village Cup Final at Lord's.

Malton's star was Aussie Brent Warren, whose unbeaten 80 was the definitive innings in his side's 190-5. He then took an incisive 5-21 in ten overs. Darren Wyrill's 40 was the other good input in the Malton innings as Paul Skilbeck took 3-31.

Three Easingwold batsmen got a start but were unable to build a big innings with Martin Robinson's 34 just topping Paul Redshaw (30) and Jonathon Marwood (28). Warren had a great ally in the bowling department. Matt Yates took 4-25 to help dismiss Easingwold for 145 with just three deliveries to spare.

Osbaldwick were spun to a home defeat by Acomb's overseas player Sanjay Rodrigo, who took 5-42 and youthful Richard Allman, who claimed 3-39, and are now just one poor result away from relegation.

Earlier Scott Nicholls had led Acomb's batting when he closed on 100 not out as he and Andy Tute (60) took their side to 232-4. Paul Finnie had 3-75 for the home side, who were dismissed for 149 despite an unbeaten 59 from Dave West.

Updated: 11:50 Monday, August 22, 2005