HEMINGBROUGH made certain of promotion in their first season in the league when they gained the better of a draw with Pickering.

They pocketed full division three batting points when they reached 209-7 due to John Waterhouse (53), Gazanfar Rehman (38) and Stuart Cox, who made 39. Ian Johnson had 3-46 for Pickering and then followed with 32. Steve Beal made 41 before being stumped off a wide ball, but Maqsood Akbar claimed 3-38 as the Pikes totalled 187-7.

Hovingham's chances of lifting the divisional trophy took a knock when they suffered a shock defeat at Clifton Alliance.

They could, in theory, still overhaul Hemingbrough as they are 27 points behind with a game in hand. Nick Elliot (25) and teenager James Banks (39) made runs for Hovingham, but a good spell by Mick Knowles, who took 6-58, backed by Alex Renton (3-29) had them all out for 161.

Clifton's reply was fronted by Tom Malloch (40) and Paul Atkinson (35). Jim Johnson (3-52) and Simon Gill (3-44) worked hard, but were unable to prevent Alliance running out winners at 163-7.

New Earswick fell back off the pace when visiting Bolton Percy emerged as seven-wicket victors. James Routledge made 35, Chris Smith (26) and Craig Stimpson (21), but Mike Furze with 5-35 in a ten-over spell had Earswick all out for 148.

Jamie Rigby then made 45 and Nick Lister 41 before Peter Houseman settled the issue with an unbeaten 39.

Civil Service's future may be in severe jeopardy following the loss of their Boroughbridge Road ground but they are still competing with zest.

Batting first at Woodhouse, they were held to 142-8 when Dave Izzard captured 5-25 in 14 overs.

A half century by Stuart Craven 57 then put Woodhouse firmly in command as they reached 89-2 in 24 overs. However, an amazing slump in the run-rate then saw Grange add a mere 27 runs in the remaining 21 overs while losing six wickets as they crawled to 116-8.

The Service hero was the evergreen Mick Bradley. He captured five wickets but, more importantly, conceded only 36 runs in a marathon 22-over stint.

The Yapham skipper's invitation to Heworth to bat first resulted in a considerable amount of leather hunting on the compact East Yorkshire ground as Heworth's batsmen made hay.

Five batsmen made good scores with pride of place going to Jonathan Draper who hit 90. Other contributors were Andy Thrall (46), Rich Woodmansey (40), Joe Johnson (35) and Graham Hogben (26).

The only Yapham bowler to gain a crumb of comfort was Jon Flint, who took 3-91 as Heworth powered to 271-6. Yapham appeared to be heading for a humbling defeat as they lost eight wickets for 84, but Dick Wright (47no) and Nigel West (32no) then dug in to earn a draw at 152-8.

Updated: 12:29 Monday, September 01, 2003