Title is Taylor made for Clifton

They are now eight points clear of Dunnington who were held to a draw in a high scoring match at Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Ripon took first innings and reached a respectable 166 for 9 with Chris Warters making 61 and Richard Hawley 47 as John Hunter claimed 4 for 30 for the Shipton Road outfit.

Clifton opener Taylor then took command and appeared to be on course for his second successive century as he moved past the 500 runs for the season mark.

However, having moved to 91, he was bowled by Andrew Frost but this did not have any affect on the outcome as Simon Dwyer (34) ensured victory by seven wickets with three overs to spare.

Dunnington, who started the day just a point behind Clifton Alliance, lost a little ground at Sheriff Hutton Bridge in a game which saw the opening pair in each team compile a three-figure partnership.

In the absence of the injured Simon Kellett, youngster Chris Burgess was promoted to open for Dunnington alongside Hamid Khan and the combination reached 102 before the Bridge claimed their first wicket.

After Burgess had fallen for 36 and Hamid Khan for 67, the West Indian duo of Collis King (80no) and Alvin Kallicharran (49no) captivated the Moor Farm crowd and took Dunnington to a score of 244 for 3. Bridge's Mike Smith toiled hard to claim 2 for 86.

The Bridge openers then mounted a fine reposte as Paul Scaling (57) and Paul Oldfield (34) put on exactly 100.

After their departure, skipper Steve Crowder's unbeaten 35 helped his side gain extra points and a draw at 188 for 6. Dave Kitching was the most successful Dunnington bowler with 3 for 18.

Thirsk remain in third position despite suffering a defeat at Woodhouse Grange but are now virtually out of touch with the leading pair.

The performance of Thirsk's batsmen was dismal and may well be the first instance of a side having no batsman reaching double figures in a premier division game.

In a match reduced to 35 overs, Thirsk were only able to score 68 for 9 as Steve Burdett (3 for 18) and Simon Anderson (3 for 4) posed a multitude of problems.

Barry Petty, returning to the fold after two weeks' absence, then hit back with 4 for 23 but Richard Steel's 29 proved to be the difference between the sides as Woodhouse won by five wickets.

Easingwold's recent revival was derailed when Heworth had by far the better of a draw after Graham Haywood hit his first century in Heworth colours.

He made 108 not out and, with Chris Mead making 35, the visitors reached 187 for 3. Martin Sigsworth then had his best figures of the season as his 4 for 55 reduced Easingwold to 111 for 6.

Haywood's Aussie compatriot, Stuart Boyle, also made 100 in his side's 236 for 8 against Acomb. Dave Cooper made 45 as the hosts made an extremely handy score despite a return of 5 for 19 by Acomb skipper Dave Sykes.

Andy Tute (53) hit his fifth half-century and Paul Hemmingway made 33 not out as Acomb replied with 136 for 5. Shaun White captured 4 for 54 for Osbaldwick.

The clash between two relegation threatened sides at Pickering was one of eight games abandoned because of the weather.

Neil Edgecock (72) and Craig Shipton (49no) helped Whitkirk to 183 for 4 and Pickering had been reduced to 11 for 2 before rain intervened after six overs of their innings.

Premier Division

Easingwold (3) drew with Heworth (19). Heworth 187-3 (G Hayward 108no, C Mead 35), Easingwold 111-6 (M E Sigsworth 4-55).

Osbaldwick (19) drew with Acomb (7). Osbaldwick 236-8 (S M Boyle 100, D Cooper 45, D Sykes 5-19), Acomb 136-5 (A Tute 53, P Hemingway 33no, S White 4-54).

Pickering (9) drew with Whitkirk (11) Match Abandoned (RSP after 6 overs). Whitkirk 183-4 (N Edgecock 72, C Shipton 49no), Pickering 11-2.

Ripon (4) lost to Clifton Alliance (27). Ripon 166-9 (C Warters 61, R Hawley 47, J Hunter 4-30). Clifton Alliance 167-3 (D Taylor 91, S Dwyer 34).

Sheriff Hutton Br. (10) drew with Dunnington (20). Dunnington 244-3 (C Burgess 36, H Khan 67, C L King 80no, A I Kallicharan 49no), Sheriff Hutton Br. 188-6 (P Scaling 57, P Oldfield 34, S Crowder 35no, D Kitching 3-18).

Woodhouse Grange (24) bt Thirsk (2). Thirsk 68-9 (S Burdett 3-18, S Anderson 3-4). Woodhouse Grange 71-5 (R Steel 29, B D Petty 4-23).

Division One

Crayke (25) bt Driffield (0). Driffield 87 (M Hutchinson 5-62, G Graham 5-19). Crayke 89-1 (G Dawson 38no, D Thomas 29).

Duncombe Park (11) drew with Pocklington (9) Match Abandoned (RSP after 0 overs). Pocklington 126-8 (I Camwell 36, D O'Gram 36, W Mallory 3-32, P Wilkie 4-50), Duncombe Park did not bat.

Stamford Bridge (4) lost to Dringhouses (27). Stamford Bridge 128 (M Veysey 47, K McGuiness 6-67), Dringhouses 130-5 (J Crowe 36, S Jacques 32no, M Veysey 3-27).

Stillington (3) lost to Carlton Towers (24). Stillington 170-2 (M Hafeez 89, P D Mosey 60no), Carlton Towers 171-0 (S Coleman 100no, P Wright 56no).

Wilberfoss (2) lost to Beverley Town (24). Wilberfoss 115-7 (K Davison 36, M McIntosh 39, S Lightowler 5-57), Beverley Town 116-3 (J Mitchell 32).

York (10) drew with Sessay (20). Sessay 200-4 (N Harrison 92, M C Till 39, T Kay 32), York 159-7 (A Kay 52, G McFall 27, M C Till 4-54).

Division Two

Bubwith (18) tied with Castleford (17). Bubwith 125-7 (R S Hunter 59, P Wainwright 4-49), Castleford 125-8 (A Kirk 34no, D Stevenson 4-54, C Cameron 3-31).

Clifton Alliance II (11) drew with Civil Service (19). Civil Service 174-9 (G Brown 75no, A Wray 3-34, D Heartshorne 4-49), Clifton Alliance II 146-9 (T Malloch 45, J Bladen 43no, R Houghton 5-72).

Goole Town (25) bt Harrogate (4). Harrogate 57 (D England 5-30, A Gibbins 4-15), Goole Town 58-8 (P J Kippaz 5-7).

Hull Zingari (25) bt Tadcaster Magnet (1). Tadcaster Magnet 69 (K Deighton 4-8, M Wilkinson 4-18), Hull Zingari 70-2.

Scarborough (12) drew with Bridlington (10) Match Abandoned (RSP). Scarborough 202-6 (J Harrison 25, D Morris 63, M A Welford 46no), Bridlington 24-1.

Whitkirk II (11) drew with Rowntrees (19). Rowntrees 158 (B Steel 38, A A Thomson 34, M O'Brien 5-55), Whitkirk II 121-8 (P A Horner 3-55, A Edward 3-20).

Division Three

Bolton Percy (13) drew with Woodhouse Grange II (21). Woodhouse Grange II 216-8 (S Craven 42, H Johnson 55, P Townsley 25, P Malloch 4-30, P H Houseman 3-44), Bolton Percy 180-9 (J Rigby 55, N Lister 63, G Smith 5-42, R W Bilton 4-78).

Cawood (7) drew with New Earswick (20). New Earswick 206-8 decl. (A James 97, N Bartram 5-60), Cawood 138-7 (T Bartram 36, S Robson 50no, A Freeman 4-50, M Hewitson 3-33).

Heworth II (1) lost to Hornsea (25). Heworth II 96-9 (M S Caddie 28), Hornsea 100-2 (no details).

Hovingham (12) drew with Heslington (11) Match Abandoned (RSP). Heslington 176 (R Cockerill 69, S Mosey 3-46, P Aconley 3-42, J Rounthwaite 4-25), Hovingham did not bat.

Malton & Old Malton (25) bt Londesborough Park (1). Londesborough Park 86 (D Foxton 6-25), Malton & O Malton 90-3 (N Johnson 44no).

Selby (5) lost to Osbaldwick II (26). Selby 112 (M Hollis 4-38, N Rippon 4-61), Osbaldwick II 113-9 (D Joshi 31, S Hall 33, R Laycock 4-28).

Division Four

Acomb II (9) drew with Huby (9) Match Abandoned (RSP after .13 overs). Acomb II 9-0, Huby did not bat.

Carlton Towers II (9) drew with Sheriff Hutton (9) Match Abandoned (Ground waterlogged - no play).

Dringhouses II (10) drew with Easingwold II (21). Easingwold II 213-2 decl. (G Sanders 120no, K D Smith 44, T C Smith 31), Dringhouses II 181-8 (T Nicholls 71, G Smith 28, A Leckenby 4-73.

Dunnington II (27) bt Sheriff Hutton br. II (5). Dunnington II 148-9 (G K Andrews 37, J Fordham 47, B Hough 23, R Coverdale 5-40), Sheriff Hutton Br. II 118 (C Hunter 45, S Whitaker 5-39, J E Goodricke 4-52).

Huntington (4) lost to Yapham (25). Huntington 118-9 (W I Baynes 31, J Flint 3-10), Yapham 119-7 (T Walker 66, S Beales 4-41, N Thurlow 3-46).

Thirsk II (9) drew with Thorp Arch & B.S. (9) Match Abandoned (RSP after 19.1 overs), Thorp Arch & B.S. 34-4, Thirsk did not bat.

Division Five

Civil Service II (26) bt Cawood II (5). Civil Service II 115 (Steane 4-36, Taylor 4-52), Cawood II 51 (J Winfield 7-28).

New Earswick II (0) lost to Pickering II (25). New Earswick II 82 (R Atkins 31no, B Ancram 6-30, W Curtis 4-25), Pickering II 84-0 (K Wilson 54no).

Rowntrees II (26) bt Stillington II (5). Rowntrees II 105-8 (A V Pattison 36no, C Wakefield 5-45), Stillington II 102 (B Drummond 39, W Burns 3-23, P H Grayson 6-41).

Sessay II (29) bt Selby II (5). Sessay II 182-8 (K Till 48, M Shaw 45, J Still 4-68), Selby II 112 (I Watkinson 5-22, R Wentworth 3-36).

Tadcaster Magnet II (10) drew with Bolton Percy II (18). Bolton Percy II 158-8 (J Hodge 25, A Rigby 40, C Thacker 45no, J Reynolds 3-79, K Wakefield 4-31), Tadcaster Magnet II 124-6 (K Wakefield 30, A Mackay 56).

Thorp Arch & B S II (9) drew with Stamford Bridge II (9) Match Abandoned (Ground Waterlogged - no play).

Premier Division

P W D L BP Total

Clifton Alliance 16 9 7 0 116 369

Dunnington 16 7 9 0 120 361

Thirsk 16 6 5 5 94 263

Acomb 16 5 8 3 102 258

Easingwold 16 4 8 4 100 251

Woodhouse Grange 16 5 6 5 98 245

Heworth 16 3 8 5 105 240

Osbaldwick 16 4 6 6 94 221

Sheriff Hutton Br. 16 3 10 3 95 211

Pickering 16 2 9 5 105 192

Whitkirk 16 2 6 8 103 176

Ripon 16 2 6 8 73 127

Division One

Beverley Town 16 10 3 3 91 320

Pocklington 16 5 9 2 98 285

Crayke 16 7 5 4 102 277

York II 16 7 5 4 91 270

Carlton Towers 16 7 5 4 93 265

Sessay 16 4 9 3 99 244

Dringhouses 16 4 7 5 102 230

Stamford Bridge 16 5 6 5 77 206

Driffield 16 1 10 5 100 201

Duncombe Park 16 1 10 5 103 201

Stillington 16 3 6 7 91 194

Wilberfoss 16 2 5 9 69 126

Division Two

Hull Zingari 16 9 6 1 100 338

Goole Town 16 8 6 2 100 307

Scarborough 16 5 10 1 108 286

Harrogate II 16 8 4 4 98 281

Bubwith 16 5 7 4 92 255

Bridlington 16 3 8 5 97 221

Tadcaster Magnet 16 4 6 6 83 214

Castleford 16 3 7 6 90 206

Rowntrees 16 3 9 4 87 202

Clifton Alliance II 16 5 4 7 84 196

Whitkirk II 16 1 9 6 81 153

Civil Service 16 1 6 9 70 126

Division Three

Hornsea 16 10 5 1 104 350

Malton & O Malton 16 6 9 1 103 310

Hovingham 16 6 8 2 108 282

New Earswick 16 5 6 5 95 253

Heslington 16 5 8 3 101 251

Londesborough Park 16 7 5 4 86 243

Heworth II 16 4 8 4 92 232

Woodhouse G II 16 1 11 4 103 226

Cawood 16 3 8 5 94 199

Bolton Percy 16 3 6 7 89 186

Selby 16 3 3 10 75 153

Osbaldwick II 16 1 7 8 64 114

Division Four

Yapham 16 10 5 1 100 353

Huby 16 9 4 3 100 321

Dunnington II 16 8 3 5 95 284

Sheriff Hutton 16 7 6 3 97 281

Acomb II 16 5 8 3 100 261

Huntington 16 6 4 6 85 246

Easingwold II 16 5 3 8 84 198

Dringhouses II 16 3 9 4 94 198

Sheriff Hutton Br. II 16 2 8 6 86 197

Thirsk II 16 3 7 6 68 158

Carlton Towers II 16 2 7 7 74 151

Thorp Arch & B.S. 16 2 4 10 83 139

Division Five

Pickering II 14 10 4 0 103 344

Sessay II 16 10 3 3 99 335

Tadcaster Magnet II 15 8 6 1 99 303

Selby II 14 9 3 2 89 284

Bolton Percy II 14 5 5 4 91 233

Malton & O Malton II 13 6 3 4 85 223

Stamford Bridge II 14 4 9 1 71 213

Pocklington II 13 3 8 2 83 207

Stillington II 15 4 5 6 91 203

Rowntrees II 15 4 6 5 79 202

Hovingham II 14 6 2 6 68 194

Cawood II 14 4 5 5 63 171

Wilberfoss II 15 3 5 7 74 162

New Earswick II 14 3 3 8 67 145

Civil Service II 14 2 1 11 48 100

Thorp Arch & B.S. II 14 1 4 9 54 86

Heslington II 14 1 4 9 45 73

Note: Tied and abandoned games included with draws.