THE battle for the sole promotion division five place is a four team affair with Tadcaster Magnet currently in pole position.

The Brewers severely dented Dunnington's challenge when they successfully defended a none too challenging total of 114.

G Collins made 25no as Magnets batted first but Mike Noble with 3-19 and G Camplejohn 3-33 had put Dunnington slightly ahead at half-time. Their good work was dissipated by Steve Saxton who took 3-5 and Tyrone Naude who had 3-20 and only Gary Andrew 28 made a meaningful contribution to an all out score of 79.

York III have moved into second place after winning at Hovingham and are only three points behind Tadcaster. However they have played one game more than the leaders.

Hovingham were restricted to a first innings total of 129-8 by Tony Hall who took 5-46 and Graham Mackfall who took 3-25. The principal run makers were Jason Dale 43 and Steve Thompson 34.

Thirteen-year-old William Prest then followed his father and grandfather into the Hovingham teams and marked his league debut by taking 3-10 but the fairytale beginning to his career was ended by a fine unbeaten 89 from Rob Lancaster which took York to victory at 133-6.

On a day when bowlers generally benefited from the conditions, Carlton Towers' batsmen prospered at Bolton Percy and made 258-4.

This biggest score of the day was founded on an opening stand of 106 between Darren Graves and Steve Lawson which was ended when the latter fell for 61. Graves moved on to three figures before falling for 109 but the runs continued to flow as Jamie Pocklington made 48no.

Henry Houseman stuck manfully to his task for Percy and ended with 3-75, however none of his side were able to make a contribution with the bat as Bolton were only able to make 86-7 with Ben Lamb and Phil Day each taking two wickets.

Huntington moved into comparative mid-table safety when they won a low scoring game at Stamford Bridge. Graham Freer was the only Bridge batsman to make a score, reaching 30, as Steve Beales took 4-16, Nick Lamour 3-21 and I Lenny 3-28 with Bridge bowled out for 85 in 42 overs. Chris Smith then hit an unbeaten 50 as Huntington strolled to an eight-wicket win in just 25 overs.

Updated: 09:27 Monday, August 16, 2004