Thirsk top the Hunters York and District Senior League first division after another miserly performance by skipper Dave Towse saw him take 6-15 in 20 overs as Osbaldwick took first knock at the Racecourse Ground.

Two youngsters compensated for the absence of Barry Petty, with 15-year-old Stuart Christon taking 2-5 in his permitted four overs and Danny Magee also bagging a pair of victims as Osbaldwick were toppled for 87.

Thirsk's response was far from plain sailing as Andrew Exley, a recent signing from Barrow Town, took 3-33 in a prolonged stint of 18 and a half overs, but Towse's experience was decisive as his 21 helped Thirsk to victory at 88-6.

With both the Scaling brothers and Paul Oldfield absent from their line-up, Sheriff Hutton Bridge's batting lacked depth when they visited Driffield.

But this proved to be no handicap as they recorded a nine-wicket victory to move into third place in the division.

For the home side, Andy Inns made 44 as they made a good start in reaching 85-2.

Dave Houldridge (5-49) then struck dramatically as three wickets fell without a run being scored before Russ Robinson and Andrew Winterbottom restored their side's fortunes by each making 30.

However, Mike Smith supported Houldridge with 3-59 and a home score of 163 in 43.5 overs appeared below par on a good track and the usual excellent Driffield outfield.

This proved to be the case as Bridge opener Ian Clish cracked an unbeaten 86 and Steve Crowder maintained his splendid form with an unbeaten 53 to see Bridge to a nine-wicket victory with 14 overs to spare.

York's batsmen embarked on a run spree against an unfortunate Duncombe Park attack and amassed a whopping 321-4 after openers Jason English (118) and Andy Kay (103) had both recorded centuries in a demoralising opening stand of 217.

Mike Mortimer then piled on the agony with an unbeaten 60 although home bowler Peter Kent stuck manfully to his task to take all four wickets at a personal cost of 115. In reply, Peter Humpleby made 53 but his side struggled as Mortimer took 4-12.

Fifteen-year-old Danny Medd defended stoutly in making 15 and seemed likely to stave off defeat but Brendon Ledgeway then claimed the final two wickets for no runs as Park were dismissed for 162 in the 47th over.

Updated: 08:39 Monday, May 29, 2006