THERE is now a three-way tie at the top of the first division of the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League with less than a month of the season remaining.

Clifton Alliance, previously two points ahead, were without a fixture in the last round of games, and both Sessay and Sheriff Hutton Bridge took the chance to join them at the top.

Sessay, who have played a game more than their two title rivals, won at Newburgh while SHB

benefitted from a concession by Easingwold.

In division two, Thirsk all but made sure of promotion with a convincing win over nearest rivals Sheriff Hutton.

Newburgh batted first when they entertained Sessay. Mark Mierzwinski and James Banks put on 36 for the first wicket before Mierzwinski was bowled for 17 by Stephen Langstaff’s first delivery.

Banks went on to make 27 before being bowled by Navin Kavikara and Newburgh struggled to accelerate as Langstaff (1-19) and Kavikara (2-12) each completed good five-over spells.

Kavikara then held two catches at deep long on when George Swiers (2-23) returned to the attack and Newburgh were restricted to 72-5.

Mierzwinski struck back for Newburgh in the first over, trapping Mark Jackson lbw, but Kavikara blasted a quick-fire 28 before he was out in only the third over, becoming a second victim for Mierzwinski (2-25).

Joe Watson (26 not out) then guided Sessay to victory at 73-3 in the 11th over.

Helperby had a comfortable win at home to Dringhouses.

The visitors made 76-7, only Tom Storr (45) making any progress against the home attack for whom L Holmes took 2-16.

S Baker (38) and Luke Fletcher (29no) took Helperby to 80-1.

Thirsk took a massive stride towards the second division title.

James Trueman (53 retired), Ben Collinson (55 ret) and Sean Richardson (26) took them to an imposing 188-7, G Armitage (3-31) and A Leghorn (2-9) having some success.

Sheriff Hutton's reply reached 103-4, Richard Reynolds retiring on 50 and Ian Bewes ending 25 not out, as Josh Howes' 2-8 from four overs helped to make sure Thirsk’s total was never under threat.

Raskelf had Matt Goddard (50 ret), Matt Hawkhead (23) and Richard Brown (26) to thank as they posted 149-8 against Crayke, for whom Geoff Pears took 2-29.

Ian Pears (41) and I Barney (37) led the reply, but Lindon Guiffrida (4-26) and Matt Burn (2-22)

kept the hosts in the ascendancy and the chase closed on 125-9.

Rowntrees & Huntington recorded their second win of term, at Alne.

R Shaw (51 ret), R Stevens (39) and Josh de Silva (22) helped them post a healthy 159-3 and, although Alne responded well through W Kinnersley (52 ret), C Spence (26) and H Stevens (28), they closed short on 134-4 as M Hunter-Baynes (2-29) and Dan Waterworth (2-31) kept the visitors on top.