Dunnington'S lead at the top of the Hunter's the Estate Agent York and District league premier division has been cut to just three points.

The champions lost at Heworth after the home side had posted 249-5 with Dave Simpson hitting an unbeaten 133.

Despite Hamid Khan (68) and Harwood Williams (72) getting amongst the runs, Dunnington were bowled out for 246 in the last over, Mohammed Fayyaz taking 5-71.

Acomb were able to close the gap after a four-wicket win at Easingwold. John Marwood (86) helped Easingwold to 223-8, but it turned out to be not enough as Acomb's Andy Tute scored 55 to put Acomb within three points of Dunnington.

Basement club Carlton Towers pulled off an amazing victory as they beat Clifton Alliance by four wickets mainly thanks to Mark Holme's awesome unbeaten innings of 59 off just 29 balls including six sixes. Batting first, visitors Clifton Alliance declared after 47 overs on 258-4 but Jamie Pocklington (72) and Mark Holmes (59no) saw Towers home to victory.

Woodhouse Grange plunged Osbaldwick into deeper trouble as they won by nine wickets. Osbaldwick were bowled out for 102 with Tom Quinn taking 3-36, Steve Burdett 3-33 and Kamran Sadjid 3-8.

Grange cruised to 103-1, Nick Hadfield scoring 36no and Kamran Sadjid completed a fine all-round performance with an unbeaten 42.

Beverley won the battle of the two former East Yorkshire Cup sides when they beat Pickering at Norwood Park.

Beverley made 224-8, Andy Burton top scoring with an unbeaten 84. Despite Chris Nicholls hitting 90, Pickering were bowled out for 200, Simon Rowe taking 8-54.

Sessay (168-7) and Thirsk (116-6) drew their game after Steve Frare had scored 66 for Sessay.

In the big division one showdown, leaders Sheriff Hutton Bridge enjoyed a five-wicket win at home to second place Tadcaster.

Paul Oldfield took 6-59 as the visitors were restricted to 177-9. Steve Crowder hit 74 in Bridge's 178-5. Bridge have now opened up a 51-point gap between themselves and Magnets.

Goole's home victory over third placed York thrust them right back into promotion contention.

York were restricted to 171-7 following some tight Goole bowling, who in reply reached 172-4, G Sharma being unbeaten on 75.

With key players unavailable Hull Zingari (177-9) lost at home to Pocklington (181-7), for whom Andy Inns scored 34. Earlier, Zingari skipper Alistair Markham had been unbeaten on 90.

Duncombe Park rattled up the highest score of the day in the division after Brian Leckenby (45), Dan O'Connor (60), Pete Humpleby (66) and Marek Mulvihill (67) had taken the home side to 290-7. Visitors Stamford Bridge had 15-year-old Paul Pimmlott (64) to thank for their reply of 223-7.

At Kings Mill Road, home side Driffield were also high scorers as they put on 246 all out against Whitkirk, with R Beckett (55) and A Chapman (57no) the main run-getters. Despite N Edgecock being unbeaten on 66, Whitkirk were restricted to 189-4.

Despite Mike Artley (67) and Chris Briggs (62) taking Sewerby to a respectable 205-5, division two leaders Hornsea managed to scrape in by one wicket in the last over.

Ahmed Nadeem scored the all-important final single to take the home side to 206-9 after Tahir Maqsood nearly bowled Sewerby to victory with 7-73.

Malton & Old Malton restricted Harrogate to 171-7, Mark Yates taking 4-72 and Danny Foxton 3-51. Home side Malton scored 175-7 to win with Chris Smith (32), and Greg Johnson (30) amongst the runs.

Third-placed Bridlington took a maximum points win at Stillington as their 203 all out was too much for bottom club Stillington, who were bowled out for 127.

Updated: 10:23 Monday, August 11, 2003