SESSAY maintained their advantage over the chasing pack after four of the top five in the Hunters York & District Senior League Premier Division picked up maximum points.

Beverley Town were the only ones to miss out, defeat to promotion rivals Studley Royal meaning that they dropped three places to sixth.

A century from James Clarkson (124) helped second-placed Studley rebuff the challenge of visitors Town, who began the day in third place.

Clarkson's effort was backed up by Charlie Scatchard (54) and Rob Nicholson (60), with the home side's 273-4 proving well beyond the visitors, who were bowled out for 156, with Josh Chandler taking 4-41 and only Greg Whyley offering any resistance with 31.

League leaders Sessay were six-wicket winners against Driffield Town at Kings Mill Road, the visiting trio of Simon Mason (89), Mark Wilkie (60) and Jacob Spencer (63no) all scoring heavily as they chased down the home side's 232, which included a half-century from Luke Ramsey (56) and 49 from James Pick.

Castleford sit just a point outside the promotion places thanks to a 61-run win at West Yorkshire rivals Whitkirk, which came despite a fine all-round performance from Michael O'Brien, who took 5-35 and made an unbeaten on 49.

Liam Hyde made 82 in the visitors' 222, but, despite the efforts of O'Brien and 69 from Simon Webb, skipper David Wainwright bowled the hosts to victory, finishing with 4-29.

Dunnington beat second-from-bottom Goole Town with more than 20 overs to spare, Tom Loten (54no) and George Drury (74no) sharing an unbroken second-wicket stand of 131.

Earlier three wickets each from Jonathan Anderson (3-31) and Dave Brent (3-40) had helped dismiss the hosts for 139, with Ashton Nottingham being the top scorer with 59.

Pickering climbed up two places on the back of a four-wicket victory over Bolton Percy, with Tim Whincup (5-53) and Dave Greenlay (4-50) combining to great effect as the visitors were bowled out for 179, which included 64 from Tom Atkinson.

Greenlay also contributed to the chase with 34 but it was Colin Frank who saw the game through with an unbeaten 42.

In the day's other game, visitors York heaped more misery on bottom-of-the-table Malton & Old Malton, coming away with an eight-wicket win after chasing a target of 234.