HARROGATE took the opportunity to close the gap at the top of Division One in the Hunters York & District Senior League after leaders Whitkirk’s match at home to Selby was lost to the weather with the hosts in a dominant position.

Malton & Old Malton are up to third after they made it four wins from five, while Pocklington have escaped the bottom two for the first time since mid-May.

A century from George Owram (117) and an unbeaten 89 from Ashley Griffin meant Harrogate reached an imposing total of 312-7 against promotion rivals Folkton & Flixton, for whom Jamie Nesfield took 4-53.

Jake McAleese responded with 50 but three wickets each from Will Topham (3-12), Will Parker (3-30) and Cameron O’Donnell (3-39) meant the home side never looked like getting close to their target, eventually being bowled out for 175.

Mark Murphy (108) passed three figures for the second time this season and, with support from Simon Webb (49), Whitkirk reached 263-8.

Alex Bowden’s all-round performance of 3-54 and 42 was the highlight of what was turning out to be a testing afternoon for visitors Selby, who had slumped to 88-6 at the hands of Ben Danby (3-29) when rain rescued them from a likely defeat.

A partnership of 123 for the second wicket between Stephen (82no) and Michael (53) Linsley set up an eight-wicket victory for Malton & Old Malton at Patrington, the hosts having earlier been bowled out for 142, despite a half-century from Ian Buss, with both Oliver Gilbank (3-34) and Stuart Watmore (3-21) taking three wickets.

Sewerby needed just 11.3 overs to score the 76 required to beat bottom side Osbaldwick, Harry Gunning finishing unbeaten on 25.

James Hattee had earlier top-scored with 33 for the visitors as Adrian Long finished with the remarkable figures of 4-3 from four overs.

Hornsea eased their relegation concerns somewhat with victory at fellow strugglers Beverley Town by five wickets. Richard Medforth took 3-41 as the home side reached 171-7, Liam Feasey leading the way with 53.

The visitors responded through Jonathan Fisher (67) and Paul Clappison (47), passing their target with 15 overs to spare.

Pocklington’s position in the relegation places was taken by the side they beat, Bridlington.

Ben Rees (79) and John Chaplin (52no) helped the home side reach 234-7.

In reply, Simon Leeson (56) and Richard Lount (41) both made solid contributions but the hosts sealed back-to-back wins thanks to Alex Downey with 5-37.