Hunters York and District Senior Cricket League champions Clifton Alliance made a good start to their defence of the title when they had a four-wicket victory at Sessay, who were third last term and seem likely to again figure prominently.

Tom Kay hit 57 for the Hambleton side, but 18-year-old spinner Alex Renton posed problems in a fine 12-over spell which saw him capture 5-16.

With Aussie paceman Paul Boraston grabbing 3-54, Sessay were dismissed for a below par 160.

Chris Malthouse made 27 for Alliance, who were tottering at 74-4 before John Gilham (56) and Jamie Postill (45) wrestled control with an 84-run stand, although both perished before a winning 163-6 was reached.

Dunnington's new skipper Harwood Williams was at the crease when his side got a winning start at Malton by eight wickets.

Neil Johnson, with 64, was the only home batsman to prosper as Kashif Mahmood took 7-86 in 19.1 overs on his debut for the Common Road side after transferring from Hemingbrough.

Simon Kellett (34) was one of two Dunnington wickets to fall, but Hamid Khan showed fine early season form in making his ninth York League century.

He made 104 not out while facing 119 balls as he and Williams (28no) took Dunnington to victory.

Hull Zingari were denied victory in their first game in the premier division and had to settle for the major share of the spoils in a draw at Acomb.

A dropped catch off the final delivery enabled Acomb to escape with a draw at 182-9 after Zingari had made 202-7.

Hull all-rounder Anthony Knowles adapted in style to the elite division by making 43 and following with 3-49. He had batting aid from Mark Thompson, who made 56, and Ali Markham, who made 59.

Bowling support came from Aussie Daniel Salpietro with 4-61 and Andy Hamson, who took 3-32.

Richard Sykes top scored for the hosts with 70. Last season's top rated bowler Dave Sykes took 4-84 and skipper Andy Tute 3-44 for Acomb.

Easingwold, the 2004 champions, beat Heworth by seven wickets at Elm Park Way. Dave Simpson made 38 and Guy Wilkinson 29 for Heworth, but the commanding performance in the first phase of the game came from Jonathon Marwood, whose 7-63 was his best league return.

After the break, skipper Martin Piercy carried his bat for an unbeaten 80 to see his side to victory at 198-3.

Stamford Bridge's first game in the top echelon saw them battle bravely for a draw at home to Beverley Town. Peter Aconley took 5-42 to dismiss Beverley for 164 then he followed with 35 in Bridge's 131-8.

Batting first at Woodhouse Grange, Pickering were reduced to 90-9, but last pair Ady Boyes and Tony Evans added 47 for the final wicket. Evans was dismissed for 13 at 137, leaving Boyes 40 not out.

In reply, Grange's new skipper Nick Hadfield made 30 before past skipper Mike Burdett made an unbeaten 58 to steer the Derwent side to a six-wicket triumph.

Updated: 10:06 Monday, May 01, 2006