Dunnington confirmed their domination of the Hunters York and District Senior League when they raced to a six-wicket victory over lowly Thirsk to rack up their third successive premier division league and cup double.

With both their nearest rivals being held to losing draws, Dunnington go into their final game against second-placed Acomb with a 65-point lead, putting the onus on their opponents, who will need to get a reasonable points return if they are to end as runners-up.

The pace of West Indian Kirk Powell proved to be too hot for the Thirsk batsmen, who were rolled over for just 91 as Powell claimed 8-49.

Only Aussie Gary Kelson, the divisional leading run scorer, offered any resistance as he made 31.

Skipper Barry Petty hit back with 3-25 but Hamid Khan's 26 helped Dunnington to a six-wicket win in 19.4 overs, which leaves Thirsk needing 12 points from their final game to ensure survival.

Fellow strugglers Carlton Towers were on the receiving end of the division's biggest batting onslaught of the day and came off second best in a draw despite earning full batting points.

Hosts Sessay were given a terrific start when Matthew Till dominated a first-wicket stand of 158 before falling for a brilliant 109. Partner John Flintoff (72) and Chris Till (52) then added 88 for the second wicket to help Sessay make 259-4.

Lee Hanson responded in fine fashion for Carlton as he made 76 and Jonathan Dilks added 44 but the target was beyond their team-mates and, with home skipper Richard Till taking 4-59, the Towers closed on 208-7.

Relegated Osbaldwick showed excellent fighting spirit when they got the better of a draw with second-placed Acomb.

Steve Jackson hit 92 and Mark Thompson 50 to counter the bowling of Dave Sykes, whose customary 25 overs earned him 4-88 and enabled the home side to reach 196-5.

In reply, Sanjay Rodrigo made 46, Andy Tute 27 and Paul Hemingway 26no but another 25-over spell, this time by spinner Damion Aston, pegged the high-fliers to 167-7 with Aston taking 5-77.

Clifton Alliance ensured their place in the top half of the division when they defeated Pickering by two wickets after taking advantage of five extra overs earned by dismissing their opponents for 152.

Charlie Marwood's 53 was the batting success of the Pickering innings as they were dismissed by Richard Musgrave (3-9), Francis Hawthorne (3-29) and John Hunter (3-50).

Luke Wells (34) and Simon Corley (27) then made runs for the Alliance, who were troubled by Sean Stuchbery (4-53) before reaching a winning 153-8.

Heworth's freefall down the division continued when they suffered their fifth successive defeat at Easingwold.

However, with just one game remaining, their premier status is ensured as they cannot finish lower than tenth.

Mike Brooke was Heworth's top scorer with 55, while Dave Simpson (31) and John Preston (33) helped them to post a total of 199-9.

They were prevented from netting a fifth batting point by the bowling of Paul Skilbeck, who took 4-48, and Jonathon Marwood, who claimed 3-53.

Mohammed Fayyaz (3-68) made inroads into the Easingwold line-up but anchor man Martin Piercy (59no) was then joined in a fourth-wicket partnership by Paul Skilbeck, who was not out as the pair put on 131 before being parted to earn their side a seven-wicket win.

The closest-fought game in the division was at Woodhouse Grange where the home side narrowly failed to force a win when their overs expired at 194-4 in pursuit of Beverley Town's 195.

Paul Grewer took the first half honours with 6-52, while Peter Head gave backing with 3-35.

But Town made a decent score through Neil Stephenson (55), Jamie Mitchell (33) and Richard Taylor (40).

When Grange replied, three batsmen played significant innings as the Beverley bowlers gained little reward. Jonathan Bean made 52, Nick Hadfield 61 and Kamran Sajid hit 69, but their combined efforts still left them tantalisingly short of victory and represented a blow to their bid to bag the runners-up award.

Updated: 11:46 Monday, September 08, 2003