Dringhouses all-rounder John Crowe produced an astonishing bowling spell to help his side gain a seven-run win over Pickering in division two of the York and District Senior Indoor Cricket League, despite the gallant efforts of 16-year-old Steve Beal.

After taking a wicket with his third delivery, Crowe became the first bowler to capture four wickets in four balls when his final quartet of deliveries ripped the heart out of the Pickering batting line-up.

Crowe's final analysis of 5-14 has only been bettered once when Cristian Newton took 5-9 in 1986.

Beal was left with a mountain to climb but produced a superb one-man show to make the season's highest score of 74 before he was run out off the penultimate delivery.

Crowe had earlier made 38 in his side's 60-run win over Rowntree 'B' and the two victories sent Dringhouses to the top of division two.

Former divisional leaders Osbaldwick lost pole position when they suffered two defeats, a fate also experienced by Rowntree 'B', who have slipped to bottom place.

Previous wooden spoonists Acomb 'B' moved off the bottom rung when they recorded two victories thanks to the batting of first team skipper Dave Sykes, who made 43 against Osbaldwick and an unbeaten 50 to snatch a one-wicket win over Selby.

Updated: 11:20 Wednesday, December 11, 2002