Dunnington only require ten more points to clinch their third successive Hunters the Estate Agent York and District Senior League premier division title.

Victory at Pickering, coupled with defeats for both their nearest challengers, has left them 50 points ahead of Acomb.

Pickering skipper Colin Frank made over half his side's runs as he reached an unbeaten 87 in Pickering's score of 167-7 as Dave Greenlay took the bowling honours with 4-65. Dunnington's early order produced a series of cameo innings with Simon Kellett making 36, Hamid Khan 40 and teenager James Bolam 27. Sean Duxbery claimed four of the five Dunnington wickets to fall at a cost of 66 runs, but the West Indian duo of Harwood Williams and Alvin Kallicharran then saw their side to their 12th victory, each being unbeaten on 25.

Acomb's challenge was virtually ended when they suffered a home defeat by four wickets to Thirsk after being bowled out for only 128. Chris Simpson 52 and Sanjay Rodrigo 51 each made half-centuries, but Mark Wainwright produced seasonal best figures of 5-58 to steal the honours from Barry Petty's 4-49. Acomb skipper Dave Sykes responded with 4-51, but Des Wyrill's 35 and 25 from Jim McKendry gained Thirsk an essential victory in their bid to avoid relegation.

Carlton Towers produced their best performance of the season to take the full 30 points against Woodhouse Grange. But, in view of Thirsk's victory, remain firm favourites for relegation.

Carlton's batsmen made an all-out score of 224 with Darren Graves (36), Lee Hanson (30), Mark Graves (50) and Jamie Pocklington (53) all getting in on the act. Grange then collapsed in emphatic style as Sam MacNally 4-48 and Rob Haw 4-38 reduced them to 59-8. Mike Burdett raised hopes with an unbeaten 52 but ran out of partners as Woodhouse were dismissed for 131.

The derby at Easingwold saw the hosts get the better of a draw with Sessay, whose 14-point reward ended any lingering relegation fears.

Easingwold were taken to a first innings total of 192 by Martin Piercy (25), Paul Skilbeck (45) and Paul Redshaw, who made an unbeaten 28. Matt Till was the best Sessay bowler with 4-62, while brother Richard claimed 3-43. When Sessay replied, Tom Kay top scored with 58 as Jonathan Marwood claimed 3-52, but the Tills, Matt and Richard, made 39 and 26 respectively to see Sessay to safety at 177-8.

Heworth have had a terrible time since they defeated Dunnington a month ago and slipped to yet another defeat as Beverley Town took a giant step towards premiership safety with a six-wicket win.

Simon Roe took 4-52 and Sean Lightowler 4-66 as Heworth were taken to 169-9 by Mark Lynch (47) and Richard Winterburn (37). Richard Taylor (27) was one of four Beverley casualties before Neil Stephenson (54no) and Oliver Grantham (27no) took the East Riding side to the finishing post.

The tightest finish in the division saw Osbaldwick narrowly fail to match a massive Clifton Alliance total and, as a consequence, lost their fight to remain in the top-flight.

Luke Wells made 55 and Simon Corley 29 to lay the foundation for the Alliance. Then Dave Taylor hit 56 and John Hunter made an unbeaten 71 as they added 100 for the fourth wicket as Clifton posted a massive 261-4.

With only a victory being likely to be of any value, ten-man Osbaldwick embarked on a thrilling run-chase led by Ian Wilson's cracking 78 off just 77 balls. Simon Levison made 36 followed by Mark Thompson (29) and Damion Aston (44).

In a closely-fought affair, John Hunter took 5-90 and John Gilham 3-81, while Dave Taylor effected three stumpings and their combined efforts resulted in Osbaldwick closing agonisingly short at 259-8, just three runs short of a victory.

Updated: 12:31 Monday, September 01, 2003