Huby's hopes of promotion from division four were virtually ended when they suffered an amazing collapse.

After putting together a century opening partnership, which seemingly set them on the way to a comfortable victory, Huby then lost all ten wickets for a paltry 24 runs.

Eddie Hull made 56 and Craig Dodsworth 25 for Sheriff Hutton, but Paul Moore took 4-40 to keep Sheriff's score within range at 144-9.

Huby then reached 100 before losing a wicket, only then to teeter to 124 all out as Simon Thornton (6-42) and Hull (4-12) brought about an astonishing change of fortune.

No such toils for Acomb, who seized the division four leadership when they took advantage of Malton's surprise defeat at the hands of Easingwold to move into a slender two-point lead by beating bottom-placed Dunnington by nine wickets.

A Chipps made 40no in Dunnington's 106-9, then Richard Clayton took full command as he made an undefeated 80.

Malton's batsmen fell foul of the twin-pronged Easingwold attack and were rolled over for 84 as Adrian Leckenby took 5-52 and Alan Robinson 5-30. T Dawson hit back with 4-14, but Rob Jones made 26 to ease Easingwold to victory at 87-6.

Cawood seem certain to occupy the second relegation place after their home defeat at the hands of Osbaldwick, who reached 231-7 thanks to Matt Dunne (72), Ed Baldwin (40) and D West (45). Dave Bath made 64 in Cawood's subsequent 178 all out.

Londesbrough Park salvaged a draw at Sheriff Hutton Bridge and are now 24 points ahead of Cawood.

Skipper Dave Ellis was the kingpin in the Bridge side as he top-scored with 85 and then captured 3-33. Geoff Schofield made 28 in Bridge's 186-8 as Paul Youngman took 4-49. Martin Swann (33) and Rob Sawyer (25no) then helped Park hang on for a draw at 133-9.

Thorp Arch could be relegated if they suffer a poor result in their final game against Cawood as they are level on points with Londesbrough but have more outright wins.

The Thorp bowlers were made to toil at Whitkirk, where Dave Boucher hit 81, Stuart Pickles (64) and Tom Clark (29) as the hosts posted 252-4. Pickles then followed with 3-50 but, firstly Andy Hawkswell made 30, then Andy Heaps an unbeaten 30, to help TABS to reach 156-7.

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, September 10, 2003