REIGNING champions Woodhouse Grange signalled their premier division title intent with a five-wicket win over Clifton Alliance in the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League.

Alliance batted first on their own ground and John Gilham hit a solid 70 and Alex Renton made 39 in a total of 171-8.

Bowling success for the Grangers came from Andy Horner, who had 3-36 and Steve Burdett, with 3-50.

Grange’s winning response of 174-5 was led by Tom Young with 72, while Mike Burdett chipped in with 47. L Green had 4-34 for the losers.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge lined up at home to Stamford Bridge in a game which featured an England Under-19s international on each side.

With Yorkshire Acadamy’s game being called off, national skipper Will Rhodes played for Stamford and opening bowler Matt Fisher for the home side.

Things did not start well for the latter as both he and his fellow opener were back in the pavilion with only seven on the board.

There then followed a stand of 167 for the third wicket between SHB skipper Adam Fisher and Rob Pinder, which ended when Fisher was bowled for 97 by Rhodes.

Pinder moved on to 79 but his team-mates fared badly in the final ten overs and were only able to reach 206-9 as Matt Beckett produced figures of 5-48.

Mark Fisher removed two early Stamford wickets, but Rhodes was in majestic form as he and Ollie Pimlott (31) put Stamford into a strong position.

Matt Fisher then struck the important blow by dismissing Rhodes for 77 before spinner Ben Harrison wiped away the tail with 3-10 as Stamford were tumbled out for 131.

Jamie Postill made an immediate impact on his return to the game in taking 3-54 for his new club, Easingwold, as Dunnington took first innings.

Dan Barrett hit 108 as Dunnington, who were without Collis King and Harwood Williams, totalled 191-9.

However, that proved inadequate as Martin Piercy hit 53, Steve Piercy 71 and Kyle Waite an undefeated 42 in an eight-wicket victory.

Hosts Beverley had a comfortable five-wicket win over Sewerby, who were only able to total 102 as Matt Mudd took 5-28 and Andy Morrell 3-19.

Russ Robinson claimed 3-34 in reply, but Jon Fisher (30) and Ian Gilyon (29no) steered their side to a winning 103-5.

The season started with a top flight record when Hull Zingari hosted fellow promoted side Fenner.

Fenner were whipped out for a paltry 69, but then staggered the home side by dismissing them for only 29, the equal second lowest total in the premier division.

With a total of 20 wickets falling for a mere 98 runs, a new premier division lowest total was recorded.