YORK CC II finished top of the Hunters ECB York & District Senior Cricket League west one table after a day of twists in the most hotly-contested of the three divisions.

The result at Clifton Park between the eventual competition winners and Carlton Towers could have been rendered meaningless after Goole Town had powered their way to victory against Heworth.

Town knew they needed a commanding victory to have a chance of overturning the net run rate of their rivals and they were given the perfect opportunity by David England, who took 5-39 as Heworth were bowled out for 129.

That could easily have been less had it not been for Chris Klays (33) and Alex Bell (31), who contributed from opposite ends of the line-up.

The chase was immediately taken up by Ben Shelton, who passed 50 for the fourth time in 2020, an innings of 53 coming from only 28 balls, while a brisk 25 from Edward Hasdell saw them reach the target inside 16 overs then all they could do was wait for news from Clifton Park.

York had reached the break with 202-9 on the board when news of the Goole result came through. The total had been built around a 98-run partnership between Tom Spearman (68) and Alex Collins (65) but it might have been more as they lost their five wickets for 13 runs towards the close, visiting captain Robert Holah with 4-34 and Matthew Torn 3-44.

Holah (24) and opener Henry Bayston (53) with his third half-century of the season gave the visitors the early advantage but the game turned on the introduction of spinner Ted Patmore (5-28), who took five wickets and earned his side victory by 51 runs, the margin large enough to ensure the home side maintained their net run rate advantage to clinch the title.

Dringhouses ended their campaign with a third successive victory Liam Hancy (98no) narrowly missing out on becoming the fourth batsman in the west division to make a century.

However, alongside Chris Evans (35) and Paul Milner (53no), he was able to contribute to a nine-wicket win as the hosts chased down Thorp Arch & Boston Spa’s total of 190-9.

Harry Contreras (47) top scored for the visitors, George Gibson (30) and Guy Whatmore (34) also contributing, though ultimately an inability to take wickets proved costly.

Bolton Percy were among the leaders in the title race up until the halfway stage but then faded, their campaign culminating in a 76-run defeat to Whitkirk, whose form arc has been almost the opposite.

Simon Webb (48), Alfie Wilkinson (30) and Jake Thompson (31) all contributed to the home side’s score of 199-7, and then Thompson provided the stand-out performance of the match with ball in hand, taking four wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 123.

The remaining game was between two sides both of which had yet to win, and for Osbaldwick that remained the case as they lost out to Clifton Alliance by seven wickets.

Knaresborough finished top of the north one division despite their final-day defeat to local rivals Harrogate.

The visitors, no doubt determined to do all in their power to prevent the title heading to Aspin Lane, scored 181-5, Andy Hawkswell (46no) and Charlie Stokes (40) putting on 65 for the fifth wicket after Tom Metcalfe had taken 3-30.

Boro openers Harry Dawson and skipper Greg Pickles began the home side’s reply with a stand of 88, and despite the knowledge that nearest challengers Easingwold were in trouble against Malton & Old Malton, a collapse which began when Stokes struck four times in the space of 10 deliveries, including the wicket of Pickles for 57, must have come as a shock.

It formed the start of a collapse which saw the home side eventually bowled out for 114, leg-spinner Stokes finishing with 8-26 - the best return by any bowler across the entire top tier.

Easingwold began the day in second place as the only side in with a chance of catching the leaders, but their hopes quickly disappeared as Malton & Old Malton opening pair Robert Pinder and William Spencer (77) shared a stand of 186.

Pinder, the competition’s leading run scorer, reached 107 as the home side posted 245-5 from their 40 overs.

The visitors slumped to 50-8, debutant Kristian Wilkinson picking up 4-10 and Luke Smith 3-27.

The highlight of a disappointing batting display came in the form of a 48-run partnership for the ninth wicket between James Postill (23) and top scorer Josh Sargent (28no), their efforts helping reduce the losing margin to 118 runs, a result which meant the visitors dropped from second to fifth.

Sessay finish as runners-up thanks to a six-wicket win at home to Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Two wickets from Stuart Peirse and three from Mark Wilkie (3-10), including Paul Oldfield for 30, put the visitors on the back foot and, had it not been for 47 from David Phillips, the total would have been well short of the 161-8 they eventually reached.

Matthew Till provided the match-winning innings for the hosts, the opener batting through and finishing unbeaten on 78, with the winning runs coming with a couple of overs to spare.

After going six weeks without a win, Sessay II brought double-delight to the Oval View faithful with a 13-run victory away at Studley Royal.

In a low-scoring contest, the visitors - having been put in - made 117-6, Tom Wilkinson top scoring with 38.

The home side have also struggled this season, managing only two wins, and the opportunity for a third was missed when they were bowled out for 104, James Skelton taking 3-23.

The battle of the bottom two went the way of Pannal, who opened their account for the season at the last opportunity, but it was a close call as they held on at Thirsk to win by two runs.

The match was dominated by two fine individual all-round performances. Carl Wilson scored 42 in the visitors’ total of 135-8, which included three wickets from Dan Magee (3-26.

When the pair switched roles for Thirsk’s reply, Wilson finished with 4-18, and Magee looked to be steering his side to victory with six needed from the final over but Dom Burdett (3-26) struck twice in the final three balls - including Magee off the last - for 58.