SHERIFF Hutton Bridge made the most of Pilmoor Evening Cricket League division one leaders Sessay being without a fixture to move level on points at the top with victory at Helperby.

Third-placed Clifton Alliance, however, failed to take the initiative and remain two points adrift of the summit after losing at Newburgh.

At the foot of the table, Dringhouses recorded their first win, beating luckless Easingwold by 14 runs.

In the second division, leaders Thirsk got back to winning ways at Alne, but Sheriff Hutton kept up their challenge with victory at Crayke.

There was a first win for perennial travellers Rowntrees & Huntington, who won at Raskelf.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge’s win at Helperby was based on an unbeaten 99 from Connor Campbell as Bridge posted 154-2.

Helperby’s response saw Luke Fletcher make 40, but they closed on 96-8.

Newburgh batted first at home to Clifton Alliance. Australian Liam Hope-Shackley struck two early blows in dismissing the Banks brothers, and they were soon in further difficulty at 17-3.

Their innings was rescued by a battling 38 from Josh Sargent and they eventually reached 92-7 despite losing further wickets to Jimmy O’Connor (2-26) and Jack Heartshorne (2-19).

Sargent struck an early blow for the hosts when Clifton replied as the dangerous Hope-Shackley was caught at mid-on, but Alliance still looked well-placed on the bowler-friendly pitch as they reached 48-2, with Nic Hindle looking good.

Newburgh stuck to their task and the vital wicket of Hindle came when he was run out for 39, and with Jason Sargent (2-15), Josh Sargent (3-19) and Tommy Banks (2-15) giving little away, Newburgh recorded a welcome win as Alliance closed on 81-9.

Dringhouses batted first when they entertained Easingwold. Andrew Simpson hit an unbeaten 65, Andrew Kenyon 56 and Harry Watkinson 19 to lead them to 148-2.

Easingwold responded well and looked well set to record their first win, with Dan Copeland making 64, Kyle Waite 26 and Ronnie Alexander 17.

But youngster Tom Wood took 4-21 and Chris Evans 2-10 and were backed up by some good fielding, with Harry Watkinson taking two fine catches, Dringhouses held off the challenge with Easingwold closing on 134-8.

Alne batted first when they took on second division leaders Thirsk. Chris Beaumont was their top scorer with 51 not out.

Alne closed on 118-9 before James Wilkinson (51 ret) took Thirsk to 123-3 with more than three overs to spare.

Sheriff Hutton batted first at Crayke and were indebted to Richard Reynolds (31), David Hull (53 ret) and Jagannath Gopalappa (34no) for their 143-2.

Ian Pears led the home reply with 39 and Charlie Wentworth made 19, but John Armitage (3-14) helped protect his side’s score and Crayke closed adrift on 111-6.

Rowntrees & Huntington at last had reward for their travels when they won at Raskelf.

The hosts made 104-4 with Alec Snowball making 50, but the visitors won in some comfort at 104-4 with Sam Beales reaching 50 ret and Josh de Silva 24.