THE final weekend of the first half of the season brought together the two leaders in York & District Senior League Galtres division two as Pannal entertained Sheriff Hutton Bridge 2nds.

Prior to the game only four points separated the sides vying for the one promotion spot.

Pannal made 206-5 batting first and, despite being restricted by Nadeem Shefta's 3-36, John Strover (56) and Andy Ellis (112 not out) posted a competitive total.

However, Bridge put themselves in pole position for promotion, powering to victory in the 41st over for the loss of only two wickets thanks to runs from Dave Bradshaw (78) and Jack Hugill who saw his side home with 90 not out.

At the other end of the table, bottom-placed New Earswick batted first at Thorp Arch and Boston Spa and found them up against a top bowling performance from the home team – led by Toby Wells’ 3-26 as they were bowled out for 128.

TABS wasted no time in chasing the score down for the loss of one wicket in the 16th over thanks to Eshaan Kapoor’s 55 not out and Chris Stephenson’s 66 not out.

Hovingham also remain in the relegation spots after a narrow defeat at home to Thirsk.

They were indebted to Josh Prest’s 60 as Stuart Christon took 4-35 for the visitors and bowled the home side out for 126.

Tom Lund produced an inspired spell of bowling of 5-53 to have Thirsk in trouble, but a fine knock from Harry Collinson (68) enabled the visitors to get home with two wickets left.

Thirsk’s victory left Stillington looking nervously over the shoulder at the bottom two after their visit to Bilton in Ainsty.

Batting first, the visitors found Ian Hutchison in dangerous form as he took 4-39, and they could only muster 130-7 from their 45 overs, mainly thanks to Tim Jarvis’ 55.

Wayne Linton’s 3-59 ensured Bilton did not have it all their own way in response. However, they surpassed the total in the 23rd over for the loss of six wickets with Adam Fairhurst top scoring with 54.

Duncombe Park will also be worried after consecutive defeats following a ten-wicket defeat at home to Sessay 2nds.

James Skelton took 7-26 to bowl the home side out for 61 in the 23rd over. Mark Jackson (35 not out) knocked off the runs in the 11th over.

The remaining game in the division saw Tadcaster Magnets continue their fine recent form with a good win at home to Osbaldwick.

* SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Kewell Ford hit his first senior century for Heworth on Saturday in their Galtres division three game against New Earswick.

After coming so close the week before, getting to a career best 88, Kewell was understandably delighted with the feat – and his team's win.