THERE was no shortage of drama as the second half of the Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North season got under way with victories for the bottom two, a defeat for the league leaders and a couple of nail-biting finishes.

League leaders Woodhouse Grange's second defeat of the season came in dramatic fashion at Sandhill Lane where they were bowled out for their lowest total in the competition for almost three years.

York's Jack Leaning finished with figures of 4-35 in a match otherwise dominated by spin. Charlie Elliot was the stand out seamer taking 3-16 and the visitors' attack was also bolstered by the inclusion of the talismanic Daniel Woods who – despite his ongoing treatment for cancer – picked up three wickets for three runs to round off the victory.

The home side had reached 40-1 thanks to opener Andrew Bilton who top scored with 29, before a collapse saw them dismissed for just 96.

That was in reply to the visitors' total of 167, Duncan Snell (43) and James Billington (46) sharing a second-wicket partnership of 69 before, from 94-1, York suffered a collapse of their own with Chris Wood taking five wickets for 14 runs from 10.2 overs.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge moved up to second and just five points behind the leaders thanks to an Edward Barnes inspired victory over Clifton Alliance.

The Yorkshire youngster, in the first season following his return to Moor Farm after leaving the County Academy, came within five runs of a maiden YLN century and then picked up five wickets as the hosts won by 47 runs.

Dulash Udayanga (47) and Karl Carver (43) added 47 for the fifth wicket after Barnes had got the innings off to a strong start and had it not been for three wickets late on from Samuel Grant (3-50) the visitors might have been chasing considerably more then 248.

Alliance found themselves in early trouble at 16-3 and were indebted to Matthew Montgomery and Samuel Grant (79) who resurrected the innings with a stand of 79.

Montgomery finished unbeaten on 91 and, despite the efforts of Barnes (5-36), was able to secure a couple of points to keep his side just out of the relegation places.

A fourth straight defeat for Sessay, this time by seven runs in a low-scoring match against Castleford at Savile Park, sees them drop into the bottom two.

When the sides met earlier in the season Umair Khan scored a century for Castleford only to finish on the losing side.

This time with ball in hand, the Pakistani overseas signing played a key role in a winning cause, his four wickets for 30 runs the best figures by a bowler from either side on a day when both batting line-ups struggled to reach three figures.

Scott Hopkinson top scored for the home side, making 23 in a total of 107 from 49.1 overs, Navin Kavikara sending down 13 of those and conceding just 23 runs whilst picking up three wickets.

The hosts' start, which saw them stumble to 11-3, was eclipsed somewhat by the visitors' 18-5 before Sri Lankan Kavikara settled the nerves a little with 41 before being caught and bowled by Khan.

The visitors’ final pair managed to negotiate the last five overs to earn four valuable points but could not manage the winning runs, closing on 100-9.

Harrogate had won all three previous meetings against Dunnington and the visitors maintained that record but only just – with victory by four runs enough to lift Ross Sedgley's side out of the bottom two.

The Gate captain contributed 43 to a total of 204, which also included 46 from Harry Stothard, before becoming one of five wickets for Luke Kilby (5-30).

Chris Preath made 30 for the hosts but following three wickets from Will Parker's (3-44) the home side's hopes were left resting on Donovan Sinclar. He made 68 before being dismissed by opposing overseas signing Ishan Abeysekara with less than 20 required.

The hosts edged towards the target only to be denied by the Sri Lankan spinner who took two wickets in the space of three balls in the final over to secure a much needed win.

Less than a month ago Beverley Town were still searching for a first win and looked destined to finish bottom of the table but their second victory in the space of four weeks has boosted survival hopes at Norwood Park.

The latest success came against Scarborough at North Marine Road and was built on an opening stand of 83 between Ben Hatfield and Harry Gamble (30).

Hatfield passed 50 for the third time this season and went on to make 86 before becoming one of three wickets for Yorkshire's Matthew Pillans (3-39).

Chasing a target of 219, the home side found themselves 40-4 – Thomas Haytack with a hand in all four wickets.

Jonathan Read (53) fought back with a half-century but the visitors were not to be denied, Haytack picking up the final wicket to finish with 4-24 as the hosts were all out for 165.