BY winning their third game, New Earswick have taken over as leaders of division three from their near-neighbours Rowntree whose hopes of notching their third win was scuppered by a defiant 15- over rearguard action by the final two Civil Service batsmen.

Heslington were the visitors to Earswick and found scoring somewhat difficult as Paul Stimpson captured 5-46 and Andy Freeman 3-26. Only Phil Neal made an appreciable score, reaching 27 as Heslington were pegged to 100-9. Earswick's overseas star, Andy James had made 40 before having to retire hurt, but his vacation of the crease had minimal effect as James Routledge took the home side to 103-3 with an unbeaten 45.

A few hundred yards away, Rowntree batted first against Civil Servive and made 188-7 thanks chiefly to former skipper Shaun Marshall who hit 65 as Mick Bradley claimed 3-55. New skipper Paul Horner then took 4-22 as he and Dave Thompson, who had 4-27, ripped out the heart of the Service batting line-up. Alex Livie proved to be an unmoveable obstacle as he made 57 not out and he and last man Reece Houghton successfully frustrated the Rowntree bowlers as they survived 15 overs to earn a draw with service closing on 100-9.

Former Stamford Bridge paceman Nigel West, who also had a fine career in the Bradford League, spearheaded the Yapham attack which demolished Whitkirk II for just 58 runs.

West captured 6-33 in 16 overs. David Booth made 25 when Yapham recorded an eight-wicket win to move into three place.

Simon Dodd was a century maker for Londesbrough Park who had a big victory at Cawood. He made 116 and John Williamson 66 for Park who were able to reach 242-6 despite a gritty bowling performance from Cawood's Nigel Bartram who had fine figures of 5-49. Cawood's batsmen were unable to match their counterparts and no-one reached 25 as they were bowled out for 126 by Phil Curtis (5-44) and David Gray (3-36)

Sewerby gained their first York Senior League victory at the third attempt when they were 102 runs ahead of Hovingham.

Mark Hartley made 53, Mark Langley 34 and Steve Foster 28 as Sewerby reached 179-4. Hovingham were then shot out for only 77 by John Blythe who took 4-11 and Sam Edmundson, who has joined the league's latest newcomers from Rudston & Kilham, and took 4-19 off 11 overs.

Woodhouse Grange gained partial revenge for their premier division mauling when they had the better of a draw with Heworth when the clubs' second elevens clashed at Sutton-on-Derwent.

Stuart Craven posted a half century and Peter Reeves helped Grange to 173-7 by making 30. trev Walton's 3-37 was marginally bettered by Russ Bilton's 3-36 which helped to hold Heworth to 138-6. Graham Hogben made 32 for the visiting side.

There were no games scheduled in divisions five and six.

Updated: 12:12 Tuesday, May 07, 2002