Last season's runners-up, Rowntrees 'A', got their new Hunters York and District Senior Indoor Cricket League season off to a good start with two victories over promoted sides Thirsk and Bolton Percy.

This pair clashed in the third game in the first division with Bolton emerging as victors.

The three games in division two ended evens with Selby, Rowntrees 'B' and Wilberfoss each recording one win and one defeat.

Thirsk's batsmen made slow progress against some miserly Bolton Percy bowling and took ten overs to reach 50, though 21 runs were added in the final two overs as Dean Bramley reached 19no while Des Wyrill (16) hit the only six of the innings before being well caught by Mark Worrell off Danny White (2-22) as Thirsk reached 75-5.

Bolton opener Andrew Rigby made 22 before falling to John Cook. Two further wickets fell quickly but Howard Hall (23no) steered his side to a convincing three-wicket victory.

Rowntrees 'A' also found runs at a premium against Thirsk and only reached 26-1 at halfway. Paul Horner livened up the proceedings with 22 off ten balls before falling to a Darren Wyrill catch and Tony Thomson (21no) kept the board moving to help Rowntrees reach 82-4.

Darren Wyrill (22) opened up for Thirsk until he was caught behind by Thomson off Richard Tuite (2-15).

Dominic Atkinson kept the batsmen under control with 1-13 and the final over from Horner saw the unusual situation of all four fielders positioned on the back wall.

Des Wyrill only scored five singles off the over to finish unbeaten on 23 but his side fell short at 66-4.

Richard Douthwaite's 26no was the best knock in Bolton Percy's 82-4 although his side's cause was enhanced by the Rowntrees 'A' bowlers who conceded 22 extras.

In reply, Paul Horner retired on 25, but Andrew Rigby caused problems with 2-15 before Dave Thompson (12no) and Dominic Atkinson (11no) gained a three-wicket win with three balls to spare.

Selby marked their return to the league with a 59-run hammering of Rowntrees 'B'.

Ian Lake (38no) showed he had retained his indoor skills, while Peter Hoyle (28no) and Richard Firth (21) supported well. Geoff Walls (2-36) was the most successful Rowntree bowler.

Tony Thomson, having resumed his normal role in the Rowntrees 'B' team, made 25 but lacked material support as Tim Carter took 2-7 and Lake 2-16 to bowl Rowntrees out for 63 in just over eight overs.

Wilberfoss, also resuming their membership of the league, lost to the much-improved Rowntrees 'B'.

Thomson (22) again made runs, then Paul Miles hit 26. Mike Stothard bowled a superb spell to take 3-7 in three overs but Keith Burrows (23) lifted 'Trees to 97-6.

When Wilberfoss replied Ian Clish fell to a good off-the-ceiling catch by Paul Miles for 14, and Neil Smith was run out for 19. Geoff Walls claimed 2-16 but the telling spell came from Kevin Palmer, who conceded just five runs for the wicket of Des Healey (20) with a superb return catch. Walls conceded just one run in the final over as Wilberfoss closed on 81-5.

Ian Lake (35) was again in commanding at the top of the Selby order against Wilberfoss. Peter Hoyle added 19 but the other batsmen failed as Mick Stothard (2-18) and Peter Edmondson (2-26) had them all out for 89.

Wilberfoss's reply centred around Des Healey (28no) and Neil Smith (24) and the pair's efforts enabled 'Foss to win by three wickets with an over and a half to spare.

Hunters Estate Agent York and District Senior Indoor Cricket League

Div 1: Thirsk 75-6 (D White 2-22) lost to Bolton Percy 78-3 (A Rigby 22, H Hall 23 no).

Rowntrees 'A' 82-4 (P A Horner 22, A Thomson 21 no) beat Thirsk 66-4 (D T Wyrill 22, D C Wyrill 23 no, R M Tuite 2-15).,

Bolton Percy 82-4 (R Douthwaite 26 no) lost to Rowntrees 'A' 85-3 (P A Horner 25 no, a Rigby 2-15).

Div 2: Selby 122-4 (I V Lake 38 no, P Hoyle 28 no, R Firth 21, G Walls 2-36) beat Rowntrees 'B' 63-6 (A Thomson 25, T Carter 2-7, I V Lake 2-16).

Rowntrees 'B' 97-6 (A Thomson 22, P A Miles 26, K Burrows 23, M Stothard 3-7) beat Wilberfoss 81-5 (D Healey 20, G Walls 2-16).

Selby 89-6 (I V Lake 35, M Stothard 2-18, P Edmondson 2-26) lost to Wilberfoss 91-3 (D Healey 28 no, N Smith 24).

Updated: 12:44 Monday, November 04, 2002