STAMFORD Bridge CC skipper Matt Beckett is relishing the ultra tight title race in the ECB Yorkshire Premier League North – and reckons there is no extra pressure on his boys now they have shot to the top.

The outsiders for the crown are on a run of seven winning results, and four outright victories, culminating in toppling the then leaders York last week to replace the Clifton Parkers at the summit.

It is the first ever time the Low Catton Road club have been top of this tier and they will look to stay there tomorrow when they host relegation-threatened Hull.

Beckett, though, says at least half a dozen clubs are capable of lifting the silverware with eight games remaining.

“There are a lot of points to play for,” he said. “It’s really tight at the top - only 10 points separate the top four teams.

“There are a couple of others outside that like Driffield and Sheriff Hutton Bridge, who are fantastic teams. If they put a run together they can catch up.

“There’s a lot of cricket left to play.”

As for his own club’s chances, Beckett said: “We’re on a really good run at the moment. Last Saturday was a brilliant result for us against York.

“There’s no extra pressure at all (now the club are top). It’s just a case of continuing to play good, consistent cricket for as long as we can and see where that takes us.

“There is a belief we can win the title – we are top of the league – but it’s a case of taking each game as it comes.

“We’re also in the semi-finals of the League Cup, and the first, second and third teams are all in the top three of their respective leagues.

“There’s a real feelgood factor at the club.”

Yorkshire Academy are now second, three points behind Bridge, with York and Harrogate in striking distance too - York still in there despite having lost their last two games. Driffield and Sheriff Hutton Bridge are only 20 points off the top too.

They all face teams in the bottom half tomorrow.

Meanwhile, there’s a massive clash in the Hunters York & District Senior League premier division as leaders Sessay travel to second-placed Castleford.

Sessay currently have a 30-point advantage at the top and victory tomorrow could go a long way to sealing the championship.