DESPITE the pre-season loss of Ryan McKendry and the exit of Des Wyrill, Thirsk have bounced right back as they seek a return to the top-flight of the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League.

An eight-wicket defeat of Clifton Alliance clinched their third division one win of term to go into second place.

Their bowlers again set up victory as they dismissed Clifton Alliance for only 88.

Alistair Wray offered resistance with 35 as Stuart Christon (3-35) and Ben England (3-24) shredded the top order.

Tom Stead then wiped away the tail as he claimed the final three wickets in the space of four deliveries to close with 4-5.

After the loss of two cheap wickets, brothers Mark Cook (50 not out) and John Cook (31no) eased Thirsk home.

There were even more runs in a batting bonanza at Hornsea where the hosts gained an advantage draw in yet another close finish which saw Selby’s last pair at the crease.

Hornsea’s total of 283-4 revolved around two century partnerships. Both involved Paul Johnson who hit a fine unbeaten 123. He was in tandem with Tom Fox (57) as the pair put on 120 for the second wicket, then was joined by Ben Wallis (58) in an identical tally for the third wicket.

For the second time this season a game featured three centurions as Lee Wild and Tom Collins both made 103 in Selby’s reply. They put on 90 for the third wicket.

After their departure Dave Knapton with 4-40 and Ryan Kirk 3-93 tipped the scales in favour of the Hollisians and left Selby hanging in for a draw at 263-9.

Pickering notched their first victory as visitors Harrogate suffered their first defeat when the Pikes emerged with a two-wicket advantage in a low-scoring match.

S Clarke made 40no and Andy Griffin 30 when Harrogate batted first, but tight bowling by Dave Greenlay (4-37) and G Barker (3-36) restricted the total to 116-9 in the full 48 overs. Griffin then posed problems in the home reply with 4-36 but Mark Shepherd’s 31 was enough for a home win in 31 overs.

The series of bangs heard at Sheriff Hutton Bridge had nothing to do with the nearby rifle range at Strensall camp but could be attributed to a vast number of home bubbles bursting as the Bridge’s batsmen gave an instantly forgettable performance at home to Acomb.

The early damage was done by Andy Green with 3-19 before Simon Browne sliced through the home line-up like a knife through butter to grab 5-11 – emphasising his transformation from a lower division cricketer into a potent first division bowler and captain.

The rain interruption shortly after the start of Acomb’s reply proved to be a temporary irritant and, following good work by the Bridge’s ground team, the game was able to resume and allow Scott Nicholls 40no to guide Acomb to a thoroughly convincing seventh-wicket win in the 27th over.