Yapham pulled out all the stops to get their ground fit for the visit of division three leaders Sewerby - yet it cost them four points.

The hosts earned only five points in a disadvantage draw, whereas a cancellation would have netted nine.

Nevertheless the hosts' efforts provided a lot of entertainment.

Mike Artley (31) stretched his lead in the run-making charts before Mark Langley (50no) and Robin Coates iced the cake with a stand of 123.

Coates, who had been dropped off his first delivery, made a top score of 74 and enabled Sewerby to capture full batting points at 207-5, despite a break for rain which reduced the overs to 43.

Nigel West (3-79) was the pick of the Yapham bowlers.

Yapham's batting was led by Dick Wright (34) and Clive Clark (41) but the hosts never seemed likely to reach their target against Peter Baxter (4-37) and Naseer Khan (3-34), and the innings closed on 136-8.

Second-placed Rowntrees kept up the pressure on the leaders with a three-wicket win at Heslington, Gerry Capelin (32) successfully returning to his old stamping ground.

Earlier Lee Bolton (37no) had defied the Rowntree bowlers but the twin attack of Paul Horner and Dave Thompson had pegged Heslington to 113-8.

Horner's 5-43 took him past the 50-wicket mark, while Thompson (3-52) gave ideal support.

Overseas bowler Ryan Elliott (4-39) hit back and Nick James (3-26) aided but Sean Marshall (29) provided batting support to help Rowntrees to victory.

Whitkirk's young side had another torrid experience, this time at fellow strugglers Cawood, where they were dismissed for 48 by Nigel Bartram( 3-21) and Richard Nicholson (3-9). Miles Taylor (29no) saw Cawood to a nine-wicket victory with a six.

Londesbrough Park kept their survival hopes alive with the better of a draw at Hovingham, who hung on at 74-9.

John Williamson (58) top scored as Park made 157-8 with George Mosey (4-38) and Jonty Rounthwaite (3-44) producing the goods for Hovingham.

Mark Taylor (5-7) then produced an outstanding ten-over spell and Hovingham had to thank Stuart Prest (26) for avoiding defeat.

New Earswick v Heworth was aborted because of waterlogging, while the Woodhouse Grange v Civil Service result has not been received.

Updated: 11:00 Monday, August 12, 2002