BASEMENT side Heworth recorded their first win of the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League premier division season in emphatic style.

The York side beat tenth-placed Fenner by eight wickets in their 15th game of the campaign at Elmpark Way.

Mike Cook, with 41, was the only success in the Fenner ranks as Richard Bowling (3-30) and Dan Walton (4-56) had the visitors all out for 106. Rich Walton then cracked 61 off 48 balls as his side raced to victory in only 20 overs.

Batting first at York, second-placed Stamford Bridge were reduced to 88-7 as Mike Mortimor (4-35) made significant inroads.

Phil Hill then provided a lifeline with a fine unbeaten 64 and, with Steve Sergeant adding 37, Bridge were eventually able to take tea at 174-8.

Sergeant caused consternation with 3-40, but a 99-run fourth-wicket stand between Dave Simpson (65) and Richard Love (61) saw York to a comfortable five-wicket win.

Despite failing to bowl out hosts Studley Royal, Woodhouse Grange took advantage of Stamford Bridge’s defeat to open up a 55-point lead at the top of the table.

The Bilton brothers, Andy with 58 and Chris with 85, laid a solid foundation which was built on by Mike Burdett (34) and Andy Anderson (56no) as Grange totalled 275-5.

Studley runs came from George Lamb (27), Steve Walmsley (51) and Ben Crew (35no) as the Royals eased to a draw at 153-7. Steve Burdett took 3-34 for Woodhouse.

Beverley batted first when they entertained Easingwold and hit a total of 267-9, with Peter Groves batting throughout for his 154 not out.

Spinner Steve Piercy had figures of 6-67 and he then featured in a second-wicket stand of 156 for Easingwold.

He made 91 to complement Jonathon Marwood’s 68 and the pair helped Easingwold reach 177-1 before they were parted.

This opened up an opportunity for Matt Mudd, whose 20-over stint saw him gain figures of 5-91 to leave Easingwold short at 227-8.

Clifton Alliance lifted themselves into the top half of the table when they had the better of a draw with Dunnington.

Nick Hindle made 72 and Simon Corley 66 in a stand of 114 for Alliance’s second wicket in a total of 231-5.

Collis King took 4-68 and then hit 93 as he and fellow West Indian Harwood Williams (70) scored 156 off the first 36 overs.

Dunnington’s remaining batsmen struggled as Alex Renton took 4-56 and their innings closed on 201-6.

Sessay are on a roll which has seen them gain a place in the semi-finals of the Persimmon National Village Cup and move up to fifth place in the premier division.

Matthew Till was their star man when they defeated struggling Goole Town by six wickets.

Firstly, he took 5-50 in 16 overs as Goole were restricted to 172-7 then he hit an unbeaten 76 as Sessay won with four overs to spare.

Till’s batting support was provided by Nick Thorne with 35.