SHERIFF Hutton Bridge remain favourites to take this season's Pilmoor Evening Cricket League championship after their latest victory.

But they lead by only a points from Easingwold and by only two points from Thirsk, who both kept up the pressure with victories in the latest round of fixtures.

Bridge posted another commanding total when they batted first at Newburgh. Nick Scaling led the way with a hard-hitting 79.

Paul Doy was the pick of the home attack with 3-26 but when Newburgh batted they struggled to 75-6 at the close against Danny Snowball (5-14).

Easingwold kept up their challenge when they easily overcame relegated Stillington who 82-6, Dean Walker claiming 2-8 at the end of the innings.

Tommy Langstaff made 43 and Andrew Metcalfe an unbeaten 22 as Easingwold took the points at 83-3.

Thirsk also retained an interest in the title race when they had a straightforward eight-wicket win at Crayke who were bowled out for 78.

Dean Bramley took 4-22 and Gary Kelson whipped out the tail to return 5-4, the best return in the league this season. The same pair then led Thirsk's reply, Kelson making 49 and Bramley 20no as Thirsk reached 83-2.

Alne improved their chances of retaining first division status when they had an exciting win over Sessay who have slipped back to the edge of the relegation zone.

Sessay batted made 138-6 thanks to Stephen Langstaff (20), Tommy Kay (22), Chris Till (36) and Mike Megson (24no).

Alne appeared to be in trouble after the loss of early wickets, but a fine unbeaten partnership between Chris Beaumont (38no) and Joe Swiers (64no) took Alne to a last over win at 139-3.

There was a double round of fixtures in the second division.

Leaders Rowntrees beat Raskelf by 23 runs after posting 107-4 with Dominic Atkinson making 42. Raskelf replied with 84-9, Stuart Edwards hitting 33 and Trevor Reynolds 22.

Atkinson then hit 33 and P Todd 33no as Rowntrees totalled 128-6 at Huby, whose Dan Grainger had figures of 3-17.

Huby's reply was led by Paul Lister with 21 and Thomas Piercy 31 before being guided home at 129-6 by Steven Piercy who was unbeaten on 33.

In their previous match, an under-strength Huby were thumped by Clifton Alliance by 79 runs. Alliance rattled up 167-4, Luke Wells making 74 and Simon Corley 56. Huby were bowled out for 88 all out, Graham Wray taking 3-21 and A Renton 3-7.

Alliance continued their good batting form at Sheriff Hutton where Paul Walton made 64 and John Myers 50no out of 153-3. Sheriff made a gallant effort to reach their target with Hugh Faith making 31, Joel Wilford 35 and Tony Hull 37, but they fell short on 142-6 after Wray had taken 3-10.

The result was Sheriff Hutton's second narrow reverse in three days and assured Rowntrees of promotion.

Earlier, Helperby pulled off a surprise win over promotion-chasing Sheriff Hutton.

Matthew Wass made 32 and Matt Hardy 21 as they totalled 113-7, but despite an unbeaten 40 from J Faith and 26 from T Fisher, Sheriff's reply ended tantalisingly close on 111-8, Mark Spilman (3-29) and James Hardy (3-34) were the most successful of the home bowlers.

The bottom two sides met at Helperby, where Raskelf's Ross Hardy dominated with 92 out of 123-6. Nick Buchanan took 2-9 and James Hardy 3-38 for Helperby, who closed on 112-5 after Joss Spilman had made 36 and Mark Spilman 26.

Updated: 09:49 Wednesday, July 30, 2003