THE fourth division remains a three-horse race with Huby in contention after beating leaders Malton & Old Malton by six wickets.

Shane Bonsor made 44 and John Foxton 26 for Malton, but home bowlers Tim Little 3-69 and Paul Moore 4-57 had them all out for 164. Dave Patmore made an unbeaten 81 and, with Chris Cundall 31 joining in, Huby reached a winning score of 165-4.

Acomb closed the gap to 20 points when they had a seven-wicket win at Whitkirk through John Renshaw (56) and Nathan Weatherstone (32). Tim Merrick's 3-21 had helped to dismiss Whitkirk for 146 with Stuart Pickles (38) and Dave Boucher (34) being the pick of the home batsmen.

Dunnington had a massive win over fellow strugglers Cawood but still seem destined to drop into division five.

Their star was Patrick Olivier who hit an unbeaten 85 and then followed with 5-10 as Cawood were blown away

Olivier's batting was supported by A Chipps, whose unbeaten 55 helped Dunnington bank five batting points at 201-4, while his bowling ally was Dave Kitching. His 3-11 ensured a 30-pointer for a Dunnington side whose fortunes have taken a recent turn for the better.

Stuart Robson (48) was the only Cawood player to emerge from the encounter with credit.

Londesbrough Park went most of the way towards ensuring divisional safety when they also claimed the full 30 points in an even bigger victory at the expense of Easingwold.

John Williamson made 43, then Ian Hodson made 94no as he and Sam Dodd (60) put on 112 in a second-wicket stand to help Park's total towards 218-3.

When Easingwold replied, Alan Robinson made 36, but junior player Darren Moody produced his best ever league figures of 6-15 to whip Easingwold out for only 64.

The clash between the two Sheriff Hutton sides at Moor Farm resulted in a comprehensive win for the visiting village side.

Bridge made a respectable 187-7 with Steve Clipston making 42, David Coverdale (46) and Graham Oxley (31no). Richard Coverdale (3-68) reduced Sheriff to 82-4, but then suffered along with the other Bridge bowlers as Eddie Hull (67no) and Ben Tompkins (43no) combined in a match-winning stand of 106.

A successful run chase by Thorp Arch and Boston Spa eased their promotion fears when they overtook Osbaldwick's 230-7.

Osso's batting was led by Matt Dunne, who made 67 with Steve Raine taking 4-49 for Arch.

TABS' early runs came from Mick Cole (44) and Simon Ball (41) before Matt Fraser (40no) and Mark Linnacre (45no) saw TABS to 231-6.

Updated: 12:28 Monday, September 01, 2003