Sheriff Hutton Bridge warmed up for their National Village Trophy quarter-final tie with reigning Pontefract League champions Streethouse with a five-wicket win at Ripon to maintain their title drive.

On a day when batsmen laboured to make runs, Ripon were restricted to a first innings score of 133-9 as Bridge skipper Paul Oldfield took 5-38 to bring his wicket total to 41. Ripon's main run-scorers were Gary Blackburn with 26 and Mark Barber on 30.

The duo each claimed two wickets, but Steve Crowder made 37 and Mike Smith 27 to see the Bridge home in the 44th over.

Whitkirk's Craig Shipton hit the highest score of the season and the third highest ever in division one when he rattled an unbeaten 174 off an unfortunate Crayke attack.

Shipton, whose score ranks 11th in the all time highest in the league, shared an opening stand of 151 with Andy Pierson, who made 47, and then followed with 120 for the second wicket as Darren Grey weighed in with 51.

Their combined efforts took Whitkirk to the first 300 runs score of the season as they made 305-3.

Crayke's batsmen performed much better than their bowlers with Andrew Dawson and Paul Hutchinson making 33 apiece and Jon Wright 32.

Harlon Haye went to 51 wickets in the season by taking 6-58, but Crayke started the last over with two wickets in hand. Mark Murphy gained success with his first delivery but the last man was able to survive to gain a draw at 197-9.

York were another side to take first innings by choice when they entertained fellow promotion challengers Hull Zingari.

The ploy was basically successful as they pouched 18 points to move above their rivals, who gained 12.

Early runs for the Clifton Park side came from Sean Hunter 46, Nash Stone 31 and Andy Kay 39, but James Pringle provided the icing on the cake as he made 60 to help York reach 219-9. Hull's Matt Wilkinson emerged with great credit as he claimed 5-53 in 12 overs.

His side then appear to have settled for a draw as their response saw them reach 169-3 with their ambitions aimed at the three-quarter mark. Skipper Alistair Markham hit 56 and Aussie Rob Elston 33 before teenager Anthony Knowles secured the draw with an unbeaten 39.

Stamford Bridge remain at the foot of the division despite a five-wicket home win which severely dented Goole Town's promotion hopes.

Batting first, Goole were bowled out for 169 with Neil Webster making 53 and Kev Murphy 25no as Peter Aconley gained 3-12.

Aconley then followed with his side's best score as he made 39. Gautam Sharma spun out three more victims to maintain his position at the top of the division averages, but Dave Chaplin made 36, Stuart Boyle 32 and Phil Hill 37no to maintain Stamford's improvement and give them hope of avoiding a speedy return to division two.

Updated: 09:52 Monday, August 04, 2003