THE dogfight in division one continued with Driffield holding a 16-point lead over Sessay going in to today's games.

Carlton Towers remain in contention despite being held to a draw by Goole Town.

Towers batted first and were able to post a useful 181-7. Dave Longley led the way with his first half-century of the season, making an unbeaten 71, while Stuart Coleman added 45.

Dave England claimed 3-71 and then proved to be a thorn in Carlton's side with the bat when, after Anthony Gibbins had made 42, he defied the Towers bowlers with 28no to earn Goole a draw at 141-6. Carlton's overseas star Kashif Siddique bowled well to capture 4-29.

Sessay boosted their promotion hopes with a draw at Crayke after taking maximum batting points when good innings from John Flintoff (47), Darren Atkinson (48no) and Steve Frare (47) enabled them to reach 207-5. Crayke shunned the run chase as they adopted a safety first approach and, with Andrew Dawson making 74no, achieved their goal with consummate ease at 134-3.

After looking for all the world like divisional champions for the early part of the season, Ripon's fortunes have deteriorated and their performance at Duncombe Park was a new low as they were bowled out for only 71. James Melling took 3-11 and Peter Richardson 3-33.

Brian Leckenby hit an unbeaten 52 as Duncombe Park won by eight wickets.

The game at Hull Zingari was terminated at the end of the tea interval by rain. Kevin Deighton had turned in a good bowling performance, capturing 5-51, as York were restricted to 152-8. Ian Calpin was the top scorer for York with 32.

Stillington are still searching for their first win of the season and are certain to be relegated after their 73-run defeat against Driffield who made a first innings total of 168-8.

No Stillington batsman was able to make an impression as Alastair Kirk, with 3-23 and Chris Smith, who took 4-31 in 15 overs, had them all out for 95.

Whitkirk dropped to sixth place when they were rather surprisingly beaten by relegation haunted Dringhouses who recorded an impressive 68-run victory.

Dringhouses skipper, Mick Kenyon played a significant role in his side's triumph when he followed a top score of 46 with a 12-over spell of bowling which earned him 4-28 and had the Leeds side all out for 114.

In addition to Kenyon's runs, John Crowe made 35 and Chris Evans 40 as Dringhouses made 182-7 in a game reduced to 40 overs per side.

Updated: 08:50 Tuesday, August 27, 2002