The race for the Hunters the estate agent York and District Senior League premier division title is really warming up and long-term leaders Clifton Alliance now find their lead reduced to a mere 21 points after defeat at the hands of their main challengers Dunnington.

Dunnington skipper Simon Kellett led from the front when Clifton batted first in the five-wicket win as he emerged as a front-line bowler to record one of his best returns, claiming 5-49 off 15 overs.

Only Dave Taylor made a decent contribution to the Alliance total of 157-8 as he hit 38. Kellett and Hamed Khan both then played cameo innings to get their reply off to a bright start but neither went on to make a mentionable score.

However, Masood Asim Butt made an unbeaten 49 from the number three berth and, with Harwood Williams adding 30, Dunnington reached their goal for the loss of five wickets.

There was a run fiesta at Elm Park Way where Heworth suffered a 33-run defeat at the hands of Easingwold, despite totalling 231.

Easingwold opener Jonathon Marwood carried his bat through the innings to reach an unbeaten 103, while his partner Martin Piercy made 32.

After the latter's departure, runs continued to flow from the bats of Andrew Dawson (33) and Paul Skilbeck (44), while Dan Copeland had time to bank an unbeaten 30 before the innings closed on 264-3.

Heworth's batsmen made a determined effort to match their visiting counterparts with Dave Simpson making 49 and Colin de Grandhomme 26 before half-centuries by Richard Bowling (60) and Ian Wilson (51) kept home hopes alive. In the end, a handy spell of bowling by Dan Copeland, who took 4-56, just tipped the scales as Heworth were dismissed for 231.

Beverley Town lost a little ground on their championship rivals when they were thwarted by Acomb and had to be content with a draw.

Ollie Grantham hit 67 and teenager Paul Groves made 31 in Beverley's all out score of 194 with Dave Sykes and Sanjay Rodrigo each bagging a pair of victims. Andy Tute then top-scored in Acomb's reply, making 49, while limited support came from Joey Burton (26) and Matt Williams, who made 27no. Simon Roe (3-48) and Peter Parnaby (3-64) shared the six Acomb wickets, as the hosts made 159-6.

Third-placed Sessay were bowled out when they batted first at relegation-haunted Malton & Old Malton but their bowlers then returned the compliment to leave the home side still in 11th place. Malton spinners Matt Yates, with 5-46, and Danny Foxton (3-54) worked their way through the Sessay line-up to close the innings on 195 in the final over. Matt Till, with 57, and David Johnson (58) were the two batting successes. Till further excelled when he added 6-32 to his half-century, while Darren Wyrill (28) and Greg Johnson (26) offered a modicum of resistance as Malton were toppled for 143.

Nick Hadfield continued his good form when he made 60 as Woodhouse Grange took first knock at Osbaldwick. Other runs were made by Jon Bean with 41, Mike Burdett (29) and then Steve Burdett, whose unbeaten 34 saw Grange reach 212-7 despite the efforts of Steve Young, who took 3-67 in 18 overs. Dave West replied with 36 as Osbaldwick gained a draw at 142-7.

There was a closely-fought draw at Pickering, where the nostalgic smell emanating from the nearby traction engine rally drifted across the ground as the hosts just kept ahead of Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Three home batsmen got into the 30s as their team made 182-9 with Colin Frank top-scoring with 38 and Craig Aconley (33) and Simon King (35). Paul Oldfield's 5-61 for the Bridge was his best return of the season and he then followed with 52. Steve Crowder added 37 and brother Peter Crowder an unbeaten 42 but Adie Boyes, with 3-33, did just enough to peg the Bridge to 173-6.

Updated: 08:55 Monday, August 08, 2005