Clifton Alliance have taken over as leaders of the Hunters the Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League premier division following their seven-wicket victory at Easingwold.

Clifton started the day level on points with Dunnington after the correction of a computer error which had deprived them of five points and, following their win at Easingwold, have taken a clear lead as Dunnington were held to a draw at Pickering.

Champions Easingwold had to thank wicketkeeper Kevin Hollinrake, making a late order 32 not out, for their modest total of 141 for 9 as Paul Clary (3 for 17) and Mick Knowles (4 for 18) made serious in-roads into the home side's batting.

Darren Reeves (44), Simon Dwyer (41no) and Dave Taylor (37) then clinched Clifton's victory.

Acomb's overseas star, Duminda Perera, hit a new premier division record score of 170 not out at Ripon to wipe Colin Frank's previous highest score of 158no made a week earlier.

With Chris Simpson adding 63, Acomb reached 280 for 3 against the divisional strugglers, who were able to gain a draw at 183 for 8 through Chris Warters' 36, Neil Jackson's 42, Richard Hawley's 27 and Paul Tulip's 33 while Richard Clayton took 3 for 31 for Acomb.

The most impressive victory of the day saw Woodhouse Grange defeat Whitkirk by ten wickets despite the Leeds side rattling up 258 for 9. The Woodhouse stars were Richard Steel, who made 134no, and Nick Hadfield, who made 114no, the pair reaching 261-0 with nine overs to spare.

Earlier, Neil Edgecock had top scored with 84 for Whitkirk with Matty Tomlins making 55 and John Colley 31 as Sajid Ali (3 for 77) and Steve Burdett (3 for 78) each claimed three wickets.

Twenty wickets fell at Osbaldwick where local rivals Heworth gained a narrow victory. Paceman Steve Machin appeared to have set up a home victory when his 25-over spell earned him 7 for 68 as Heworth were bowled out for 145. Andrew Dapson top scored for the visitors with 43 while handy runs also came from skipper Dave Simpson 33 and Richard Winterburn 25.

Osbaldwick's batsmen then struggled as Mark Bell captured 4 for 20 and Graham Haywood 4 for 40 and, despite 24 apiece from Gwaine Hogg and Mark Thompson Osbald-wick were dismissed for only 133 to lose by 12 runs.

Batting first at Pickering, Dunnington lost prolific skipper Simon Kellett for only 28 but his partner Hamid Khan was then joined by Collis King and the pair rattled up a second wicket partnership of 158. Khan completed his first century for the club before falling for 107 while King just failed to add another three-figure score to his impressive record when he fell for 93. Fellow West Indian Harwood Williams then had time to make an unbeaten 33 as Dunnington reached 284 for 3.

Pickering's batsmen then responded well to their task and were able to claim full batting points when Mark Shepherd (54) and Brian Leckenby (49) saw them safely to a draw at 203 for 8 despite a useful spell of 5 for 57 by spinner Steve Precious.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge are threatened with relegation following their seven-wicket home defeat by Thirsk. Batting first, Bridge reached 153 for 9 through Alistair Sinclair, who made 49no, and Nick Scaling, who made 33. Dave Green-lay caused most problems with 4 for 40 while Barry Petty had 3 for 61 on his return to the Moor Farm ground where he played for a couple of seasons in the 1980s.

Thirsk's successful response was led by Neil Stephenson, who hit an unbeaten 90, while Des Wyrill chipped in with 25 on his old stamping ground.

Division one report on page 17

- The League's Indoor Competition has two vacancies for the coming season and any clubs interested in joining the competition are asked to contact the league secretary on 01904 490394 as soon as possible.

Updated: 12:24 Monday, July 09, 2001