Tadcaster Magnet, leaders in division two of Hunters the estate agent York and District Senior League, came close to suffering their second defeat of the season but managed to hang on for a draw at home to Scarborough and retain their pole position.

Scarborough's batsmen took full reward with 216-7 as Kev Theobold hit 51 and Andy Welford 48 not out. Rob Harrison took 5-41 in an unchanged 23-over stint which had the Brewers reeling at 131-8.

Second-placed Stamford Bridge cut the gap when they had the better of a draw with Studley Royal. Aussie Stuart Boyle recaptured his dazzling early season form with 93, while Phil Hill's unbeaten 51 helped Stamford reach 214-5.

For Studley, Chris Marston hit 53, but Graham Tipping took 3-39 as the visitors' reply ended on 172-8.

Bridlington's overseas star Hafiz Khalid set the benchmark for the monthly batting award when he hit the second highest innings to have been scored in the division. He raced to an unbeaten 179 against Malton & Old Malton.

Bridlington had lost four wickets for 85, but the Pakistani combined with Glen McHale to take the game away from promotion-chasing Malton with an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 172, McHale's contribution being 45 not out.

Khalid was then his side's best bowler, taking 3-41.

Malton, Greg Johns top scorer with 48, did gain a reasonable quota of points to keep their hopes alive with full bonus points at 207-8.

Bubwith improved their survival chances with a three-wicket win over Clifton Alliance, whose own chances of survival now seem to have ended.

Youngster Nathan Briggs hit 54 as Clifton were dismissed for 127. An unbeaten 35 from Brian Last steered Bubwith to the finishing line.

Harrogate rattled up 298-4 against Wilberfoss and probably regretted not declaring when they could capture only eight of their opponents' wickets.

Ryan Bradshaw took advantage of a run out in to make 93 for Harrogate, while Matthew Cousen scored 64.

Mike Stothard made 51 to shore up Wilberfoss, who were able to emerge with a draw at 148-8.

Two runs off the final ball was not enough to gain Castleford a win at Hornsea as relegation-haunted Castleford fell two runs short of their target.

Updated: 11:35 Monday, August 19, 2002