EASINGWOLD stole a march on their rain-hit rivals to open up a 19-point lead at the top of the Hunters Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League premier division.

Saturday's programme was badly hit by rain but the 2004 champions were able to gain the better of a draw against second-placed Clifton Alliance.

Skipper Martin Piercy was the only Easingwold top order batsman to make any mark as his side slipped to 46-6 with Paul Boraston (4-77) making early in-roads. Piercy eventually fell for 27 but then saw Paul Skilbeck and Dan Copeland put on 45 for the seventh wicket before Copeland fell for 28.

Skilbeck then found an even more successful ally in Paul Redshaw as the pair added 66 before Skilbeck fell for 57.

Easingwold's tail dug in and James Bryan and Redshaw figured in an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 42 to lift the total to 199-8.

Alliance made a disastrous start as five wickets fell for only 39 as Skilbeck took 6-37 to add to his half century. Alliance skipper Richard Musgrave made 54no and eventually found effective support from Alex Renton to enable Alliance to draw at 131-8.

Dave Greenlay was the star of the show at Beverley, where he hit 123 to help Dunnington to a total of 249-9.

Hamid Khan demonstrated his consistency with 39 while Jack Bolam's 41 was his best premier division score. Barry Sayer with 4-79 and Andy Burton 3-42 were the pick of the bowlers for Beverley whose reply was limited to just one over before the weather caused abandonment.

Pocklington emerged from their division one game at Duncombe Park to win by seven wickets.

Park's batsmen struggled against Richard Foster (3-22) before long-serving Anthony Plowman made 33 and Dan Medd chipped in with an unbeaten 29 to help lift Park's modest tally to 123-7.

Pocklington lost three wickets but Martin Nesom made 34no and Adam Thomas 36 to see Pock home.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge enjoyed a last-over victory over Hornsea thanks to a half century from acting skipper Ian Clish and an accomplished 37no from 18-year-old wicketkeeper Adam Fisher.

Doug Griebenhoue made a welcome return to the Hornsea ranks with 72 before being caught on the boundary by Steve Crowder off Dave Ellis.

Skipper Paul Johnson shared a third wicket stand of 88 and Dan Dales added 31 but Ellis changed the game with a spell of 4-28 in eight overs to support the efforts of Mike Smith, who bowled unchanged to take 2-86.

Clish made 59 as he and Paul Oldfield (30) gave their side a sound start. Steve Crowder then made 29 before Fisher took his side to a four wicket win with three balls remaining.

Updated: 12:12 Monday, May 15, 2006