SESSAY took over at the top of Pilmoor Evening Cricket League division one by beating close rivals Helperby while previous leaders Clifton Alliance were being shocked at lowly Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Newburgh, victors over Acomb, are now joint-second, a point behind Sessay, while at the foot of the table Alne still await their first win.

Mark Jackson (79) and Stuart Peirse (36) got Sessay off to a good start against Helperby and, with Joe Watson (47 not out) also in good touch, they posted a challenging 171-2.

The reply began steadily but never picked up the required momentum, closing well short on 107-5 despite the efforts of Matt Cavanagh (45).

Newburgh bounced back from defeat and kept their title hopes on track with victory over 2015 champions Acomb.

They enjoyed a first-wicket stand of 96 in only 11 overs, but once Mark Mierzwinski fell for 63 and Tommy Banks for 33, Acomb came back into the contest through Daniel Watkinson (2-32) and Newburgh closed on 134-6.

When Acomb replied, several batsmen made starts, typified by Tom Neal and George Sykes each making 19, but no one played the substantial innings as Charles Ramsay (2-26), Wayne Linton (2-21), Tommy Banks (2-31) and Josh Sargent (3-14) chipped away to restrict them 116-9.

Thirsk took to the field for the first time in almost a month when they visited Alne, and got their first victory.

Stuart Christon (102no) became the first PEL centurion of the season as Thirsk posted 194-4, while Arthur Clark (2-31) had some success for Alne.

The home reply was based on the efforts of the Stirke brothers, Duncan making 40 and Toby 50, but Tom Broadley (3-10) and T Spence (4-32) made sure Thirsk’s total was never threatened.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge recorded their first win of term when they inflicted a first defeat on Clifton Alliance.

Mark Fisher and Ben Gill each made 43 and Jack Hugill 27 as Bridge reached 154-3, Will Moll (2-22) the most successful bowler.

Clifton's reply was undermined by Jimmy O’Connor (3-10) and Ben Harrison (2-18), closing on 68-8.

Division two leaders Sheriff Hutton had an eight-wicket win over Huby - but only by scampering a couple of runs off the last ball.

Matthew Woodall retired on 50 as Huby posted 103-4, but Sheriff’s reply saw Geoff Schofield make 48 and John Armitage 43 not out. Huby took it to the wire, though, with J Fox taking 2-19.

Sheriff's nearest challengers, Easingwold, Raskelf and Dringhouses, also won.

Crayke were in early difficulty as Dringhouses' G Wilson (2-12) and Lewis Rennison (2-9) reduced them to 14-4 before Peter Carr (51 retired) and Dave Allitt (18) helped them to recover to 108-6.

Their bowlers then made Houses work hard in reply, James Pocklington taking 3-18 while Elliot Shiers made 25 and Liam Hancy 33.

Dringhouses needed 14 from the last two overs but I Milner (25no) found the boundaries as they won with three balls to spare.

Raskelf continued their fine start with victory over bottom-placed Rowntrees & Huntington. Half centuries from Matthew Goddard (50 ret) and Brad Clark (54 ret) took them to 148-2. Josh de Silva (47) responded but Toby Baker (2-31)

and Chris Brown (3-18) took decisive wickets and the R&H reply fell short on 118-7.

Dan Copeland (51 ret) and Max Cosgrove (30) saw Easingwold post 126-4 against Civil Service, Andy Tessier returning 3-11.

The Service reply ended on 115-6, Andy Luff making 50, as Tom Wilson bowled a telling five-over spell of 2-16.