WHITKIRK pulled off the shock victory of the day in the opening round of the Costcutter York and District Senior League Cup when they had a thrilling one-wicket win over league leaders Easingwold.

Batting first, Easingwold made 214 for six with Martin Robinson making 45 and Dan Copeland 41, but this proved to be inadequate as Mark Selth (44), Craig Shipton (48) and Stuart Pickles with an unbeaten 50 as Whitkirk edged to a narrow victory.

Driffield's opening pair, Ankur Sondhi (73) and Andy Murfitt (97) shared a partnership of 173 which helped their side to 228 for three at Pickering.

The home batsmen responded in style and, with Colin Frank making 95 not out, gained a good win by six wickets.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge skipper Steve Crowder hit 113 but was on the losing side when Stuart Craven (64) and Mike Burdett (49no) steered Woodhouse Grange to a six-wicket win.

In other games, Suminda Perrera took three for 34 and made 87 to help Acomb record a six-wicket win at Sessay, while first division side York inflicted a 30-run defeat on the Premier division's bottom-placed team Osbaldwick.

Heworth beat champions Clifton Alliance by 90 runs and Pocklington had a 25-run win at Thirsk.

The result of the game between Duncombe Park and cup holders Dunnington has not been received.

At Sessay, John Flintoff made 53, Giles Cressey 25 and Richard Till 33 as they made 170 for seven against Acomb.

Suminda Perrera took three for 34 for the visitors and then led Acomb's successful response, making 87. With skipper Richard Clayton adding 33, the York side ran out winners by six wickets.

There was a high scoring game at Pickering where the home side also gained a six-wicket verdict at the expense of Driffield with a batsman on either side narrowly missing a century.

Driffield's Andy Morfitt was dismissed for 97 after sharing an opening partnership of 173 with Ankur Sondhi who scored 73.

Neil Woodcock added 28 as Driffield reached an impressive 228 for three despite three for 47 from Mark Shepherd.

When Pickering replied, Neal Simmonds hit 33, Brian Leckenby 38 and Kevin Wilson 38. But it was stalwart Colin Frank who played the decisive innings, reaching an unbeaten 95 as Pickering clinched their round two slot.

Only two of the eight ties were staged out of the North Riding, both being in York.

At Clifton Park, first division side York entertained premier division basement side Osbaldwick and were restricted to a fairly modest 142 for six with Andrew Kay making 36, John Hamlin 25 not out and Richard Gilbert 29 not out. In reply, Andy Hall hit 40 for Osbaldwick, but his efforts were to no avail as John Cooke (3-21) and David De Silva (3-22) dismissed them for 112.

The other game in York saw Heworth dispose of Clifton Alliance with some panache.

Heworth made a useful 191 for six through Nick Fisher (31), Dave Simpson (29), Paul Hemmingway (43) and Chris Mead (26) as Joel Southam claimed two for 33.

Clifton then struggled against the bowling of Martin Sigsworth who took three for 14, Jason Gatus (3-25) and Mark Bell (2-28) and only Richard Musgrave (35) made any worthwhile contribution as the current champions were bowled out for 101.

Current league leaders Easingwold received a shock when Whitkirk grabbed a victory by a slender one-wicket margin.

Easingwold's batsmen performed well with Martin Piercy making 29, Martin Robinson 45 and Dan Copeland 41 combining to mount a score of 214 for six.

Alan Robinson then took three wickets, but Whitkirk's batsmen rose to the occasion with Mark Selth (44) and Craig Shipton (48) laying the foundation before Stuart Pickles took last year's runners up to a one-wicket win with an unbeaten 50.

At Sheriff Hutton Bridge, home openers Shakir Nawaz and Steve Crowder reached 75 before the former was run out for 36 to give Woodhouse Grange their initial success.

Crowder was then joined by brother Peter in a 61-run stand which saw Steven reach his half century off 72 balls before Peter was bowled by Terry Rollock for 26.

Rollock then had the misfortune to suffer a leg injury while attempting a catch and needed an ambulance to take him to hospital.

Crowder continued to dominate the innings and reached a fine century in 113 balls, eventually being unbeaten on 113 as his side reached 222 for five.

Woodhouse Grange's batsmen also found the Moor Farm wicket to their liking and both openers Jonathan Bean and Nick Hadfield made 36 as they helped their side to 96 for two.

Stuart Craven and Mike Burdett each survived a chance as they plundered 79 runs for the third wicket until Craven was caught by Phil Walls off Mike Smith for 64.

Smith also claimed the wicket of Paul Townsley (15) who batted, despite dislocating a finger while fielding, but Burdett (49no) and Russ Bilton (10no) steered Woodhouse to a six-wicket win with five deliveries to spare.

At Thirsk, Pocklington lost opener Andy Inns to the first ball of the match but recovered splendidly through Rod Hinch (63), Dave Gamble (42), Martin Nesom (35no), Matt Atkinson (31) and Paul Mouncey (31) to post a total of 219 for seven.

Barry Petty took three for 50 but then saw both Des Wyrill and Dave Greenlay fall with only 33 on the board.

Aussie Lincoln McCrae gave the home side hope with 62, while Phil Marwood made 32 but Thirsk were unable to meet their target as the innings closed at 194 for nine.

Draw for Second Round (to be played on July 9):

Acomb v York, Whitkirk v Woodhouse Grange, Duncombe Park or Dunnington v Pickering, Heworth v Pocklington.

One of the two outstanding Edward Readman Memorial Trophy second round games was resolved when Stillington easily beat Bolton Percy.

Sixteen-year-old Tom Malloch made 34 for Bolton, but his side could only total 97 as Matthew Coulson grabbed four for 16.

Shaminda Dissanayake then hit 61 before being the only Stillington batsman to be dismissed in their nine-wicket win.

Stillington will travel to Wilberfoss in the third round which will be played on July 2.

The remaining tie between Rowntrees and Beverley is scheduled to be played on Sunday, June 25, the winners being away to Crayke.