NONE of the top three managed a win on a frustrating weekend for the sides at the head of Hunters York & District Senior League division one.
Woodhouse Grange came closest to victory but also to within just one wicket of defeat against Bolton Percy in a bowler-dominated game at Sandhill Lane, where only four players on either side reached double figures.
The visitors, batting first, had Ian Lynch (42) and Isaac Green to thank for their total of 178 as Mathew Shepherd (3-46) and Ryan Lockwood (3-35) each picked up three wickets for the hosts.
Opener Ben Burdett held the home side's reply together while Danny White took 5-49. Grange got within 18 runs of victory, albeit with the last-wicket pair at the crease, as the game ended in a draw.
It was a similar result at Welton, who faced Driffield Town. The hosts made 271-3 but were unable to find the wickets they needed to force a victory, with the visitors replying with 221-6.
Goole Town moved up one place to third with an 80-run victory at home to Dringhouses.
The visiting trio of George Wilson (3-33), Richard Cole (3-35) and Tom Storr (3-45) all picked three wickets as Goole reached 169-9. Scott Thorpe’s unbeaten 32 was the batting highlight in a match dominated by bowling performances.
Bottom-placed Dringhouses struggled in reply, making just 89, with Dave England (4-30) picking up four wickets for the second time in three weeks, and Ben Lamb taking 3-12.
Another team heading in the right direction are Clifton Alliance, who recorded their first win of the season with a 30-run victory against Knaresborough at Aspin Lane.
Craig Nicoll (37) top scored in the visitors' total of 191 all out. Andy Ward (4-38) and Greg Pickles (3-23) did most of the damage with the ball.
Not for the first time this season, skipper David Girling (44) led the home side's response, but they were undone by Richard Carroll, who added to last week’s three wickets against Dringhouses with a return of five for 54, which crucially included the wicket of Girling.
Carlton Towers won at Hornsea, in part thanks to a fine all-round performance from Tom Collins, who took 3-55 before making 30 at opening bat.
Hornsea’s Richard Medforth struck a half-century in his side's total of 180-7. Six other batsmen reached double figures but none were able to offer the support to set a more imposing target.
Skipper Rob Holah matched Collins' effort with the bat and Mark Holmes (38) took the home side to the verge of victory before becoming one of three wickets for Billy Ineson (3-54). The visitors reached their target inside 37 overs with six wickets down.
Heworth and Harrogate are both still searching for a win after their game at Elm Park finished in a draw. George Owram - already with a century to his name this season - made 89, and there was also a half-century for Will Topham (52) as the visitors reached an imposing 296-6, with Oliver Horberry (39) and Luke Oldomall (38) also making useful contributions.
The home side were never in a position to challenge for the win as George Horbury took 4-41. Jack Wilkinson’s second half-century of the campaign helped the home side secure a share of the points as they reached 139-8 by the close.
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