DIVISION Two leaders Stamford Bridge visited second placed Hemingbrough but were only able to come away with a second rate draw - the result seeing Hemingbrough take over the leadership.

Home star batsman Maqsood Akbar was left just short of yet another century when he was 99no in a total of 167 all out. Stamford's hero was Peter Aconley who took 6-61 in a lengthy 21.3 over spell while Stuart Boyle provided backing with 3-28.

Apart from Boyle, who made 27, Stamford's batsmen fared dismally as Gurdav Singh, with 5-30 off 22 overs, and Nabeed Khan 3-31 quickly reduced them to 59-9. Aconley then finally found a resolute partner in Nick Porteous and the pair batted out a considerable number of overs in an unbroken last wicket stand of 26 to enable Stamford to draw at 85-9. Aconley completed an impressive day by making 26no.

Mark Hutchinson was in scintillating form for Crayke who maintained the pressure on the leading pack when they crushed Castleford by 128 runs. Graeme Dawson made 43 and Hutchinson 57 in Crayke's 185-6, the latter then grabbed 6 for 22 as Castleford collapsed to 57 all out.

A ten-man Rowntrees side put up a dismal display against Dringhouses who raced to a ten-wicket victory in 12 overs after bowling the factory men out for 97.

The only home batsman to make a show was Dave Whittle who made 34 while Mick Kenyon 3-26 and R Court 3-19 caused the damage for Dringhouses whose Grant McLean 58no and John Crowe 29no soon concluded the one sided game.

Scarborough kept in contact with the leading sides by beating Hovingham by 22 runs at North Marine Road.

Former first team skipper Nick Tubbs 45 and Luke Van Klempen 25 were the main batsmen in Scarborough's 159-6.

Hovingham's Stuart Prest then hit 94 but Neil Fletcher bowled a decisive 19 overs to claim an impressive 6-64 and Mark Wells lent good support with 3-39 as Hovingham capitulated to 137 all out.

Updated: 09:27 Monday, August 16, 2004