THE exciting Pilmoor Evening Cricket League season took another turn with Sessay’s lead at the top of division one being trimmed to a point following their defeat by Acomb.

Champions Acomb boosted their hopes of retaining the title as they are now level with Clifton Alliance in third, two points behind the leaders.

Newburgh, though, sit second as they seek their first title since 1991. And the top two face off in a last-day showdown.

Alne are still winless and look set to be replaced next year by Dringhouses, who won division two's top-of-the-table clash at Easingwold.

Acomb's 94-6 at Sessay was set up by Matt Dale (40). Liam Carver bowled a tidy spell of 2-11 for Sessay, whose reply began well with 31 off the first five overs.

However, openers Nick Thorne (20) and Stuart Peirse (21) were dismissed when well set and Sessay slipped to 60-4 with six overs to go.

Acomb’s disciplined bowling and well-set field prevented boundaries and, despite an unbeaten 26 from Joe Watson, Sessay could not secure the 12 needed from the last over and closed on 92-4. Alex Sanderson returned 2-14.

Newburgh easily saw off Helperby.

Mark Mierzwinski (56) and Tommy Banks (67) shared an opening stand of 130 before Newburgh closed on 163-3. In reply, Dan Marston made 32 and Lewis Rees 23 not out but Helperby closed on 96-7 as Banks took 2-17, Ramsay 2-17 and Lewis Medley 2-14.

Clifton Alliance stayed in the hunt with victory at Alne.

Alne reached a good 173-5, largely through Alastair Jackson (50), Richard Henley (46) and Duncan Stirke (30). Dave Friend took 2-20 and David Skaith 2-24.

But Clifton reached 174-4 largely through Jason Gatus (61) and Skaith (34).

Sheriff Hutton Bridge made 146-5 against Thirsk, led by Rob Stevens (38) and Harry Sutclifffe (35). Richard Kirby (66) and Ryan McKendry (40) replied, but Stevens (2-13) and Jordan Grose (2-9) tipped the scales Bridge's way as Thirsk closed short on 140-6.

In division one, Easingwold needed to beat Dringhouses to draw level at the summit, but Houses' 158-6 proved too much.

Sam Lingard, run out for 44, Tom Owen (26), G Wilson (23no) led the way.

Easingwold replied with 120-9, Ronnie Alexander (23) top-scoring as no one played the decisive innings, Tom Storr keeping Dringhouses on top with 5-29.

Houses need one point to seal the title.

Sheriff Hutton’s poor run continued as they lost to Rowntrees & Huntington.

Tom Shaw (33) and Steve Beales (34no) helped R&H to 134-5, Sheriff replying with 106-8, Tom Bews making 18 not out

as Max Hunter took 4-31.

Trevor Reynolds (24), Richard Brown (32) and Matt Poulter (25) saw Raskelf to 140-9 at home to Huby, Sean Dixon taking 4-22 and Max Lord 4-28.

Huby's reply was always in difficulty despite Aaron Kirkbride’s 23, and they were bowled out for 65 by Matthew Burn (3-23), Sam Raper (4-32) and Toby Baker (2-3).