SHERIFF Hutton Bridge Seconds have deservedly claimed the Galtres Division Two title with two games to spare after completing a seven-wicket victory at Bilton in Ainsty.

The home team batted first but came up against Nadeem Shefta, who went past 40 wickets for the season by claiming 3-36, and Khalid Shefta, who took 4-1 to bowl out Bilton for 138, with only Miles Lloyd coming out with any credit with 51.

Openers Paul Oldfield (36) and Jack Hugill (69) then put on 108 but, despite both falling in quick succession, Dave Bradshaw saw his side home with 24 not out to claim the divisional title.

Their nearest rivals Pannal had a thumping win at home to New Earswick, thanks to 155 not out from Rob Ellis.

He was ably supported by John Strover (69) and Karl Wilson (31) as they racked up 279-3 at tea.

Andy Routledge battled hard with 42 for the visitors but Henry Worrall took 5-21 as New Earswick were bowled out for 154 to keep them 11 points clear of the bottom two.

It was a disappointing day for both relegation-threatened clubs as they suffered defeats to keep them in deep trouble.

Bottom-placed Stillington's Ben Drummond made 55, but otherwise it was all about Ed Day’s performance with bat and ball as he first took 5-17 to keep the home team to 134-9 and then made 55 not out as he and Rory Coe (30) saw their side to their target for the loss of five wickets.

Duncombe Park also remain in the relegation spots after a big home defeat to Osbaldwick. Matt Dunne (25) and Dan Ellwood (27) made good starts for the visitors but good spells from Jonathan Leckenby (3-25) and Jack Ramsey (3-53) reduced them to 125-8 until an important unbroken partnership of 73 between Anthony Butterfield (38no) and Alex Rippon (27no) lifted the score to 198-8.

This proved to be more than enough for the nine players of Duncombe Park as they capitulated to 42 all out, with 5-15 for Rippon completing a fine all-round game.

Thorp Arch & Boston Spa completed their tenth win of the season as they beat Thirsk at home in a closely-fought battle by 18 runs.

The home team made 194 all out, with runs from George Gibson (46), Andy Jones (30) and Eshaan Kapoor (30) and wickets from James Wilkinson (3-49) and Stuart Christon (3-39). Christon then responded with the bat with 58, and with Neil Collinson making 43, his side came close, but a crucial spell of 5-26 from Kapoor bowled the visitors out for 176 to claim the full 30 points for his side.

One place below TABS are Sessay Seconds, who maintained fourth place in the division after a strong performance at Hovingham.

The visitors made 230 -8, with runs from John Flintoff (30), Dominic Atkinson (37), Lee Margerison (34) and Tom Sowerby (34).

Hovingham were never really in the hunt but achieved a 75per cent draw when their innings closed at 177-5, with Richard Swan making 80 not out and George Wainwright 53 to leave their side still needing points from the final two games to maintain Division Two status.

The top two in Galtres Division Three met at Rowntrees & Huntington, when Knaresborough Seconds won the toss and put the home side in, Henry Perham having a terrific spell of 5-12 as they bowled their title rivals out for 71.

Steve Beales took 3-24 for the home team as Knaresborough struggled with the low total but they managed to achieve their target with three wickets remaining to claim top spot in the division from their hosts.

At the other end of the division, Woodhouse Grange Thirds won an important relegation battle at home to Heworth Thirds to leave their opponents 35 points adrift from safety.

The visitors could only make 94 in the face of spells of 4-21 from Dan Durkin and 3-21 from Tom Burdett.

The total was never likely to be enough and the experienced Stuart Craven saw his side home with 60 not out for the loss of one wicket to record an important win.

That result all but relegated New Earswick Seconds, who are 56 points adrift with two games remaining after their defeat at home to Huby.

Dan Lockwood made 53 and A Clarke 73 in the home team’s 144 all out as Sean Dixon took 4-28 and Mark Swales 3-37.

John Routledge took 3-43 when Huby came to bat but 34 from Ed Wright and 57 from Dan Grainger helped to see their side home with three wickets remaining to all but condemn their hosts to relegation.

With Tadcaster Magnets Seconds' concession giving Wetherby 30 points and York Fourths' third consecutive concession giving the points to Easingwold Seconds, the other game in the division saw Sheriff Hutton visit Osbaldwick Seconds.

Batting first, the home team had no answer to Rich Armitage, who took 5-32 as Osbaldwick were bowled out for 92, with only Mick Thompson’s 26 taking any credit.

They then found very little difficulty in achieving their target for the loss of two wickets, with Dave Hull making 43 not out.

In the final round of games in Galtres Division Four, Thorp Arch & Boston Spa Seconds were crowned as champions as they thumped Copmanthorpe by 156 runs to claim the title.

TABS made 212-6, with Dale Gibson making 64 and Jim Riley 46,with Adam Mosley taking 3-51 for the home team.

In response, only Nigel Dobbin (26no) provided any resistance as Sam Mottershead’s 3-19 led the way as Copmanthorpe were bowled out for 56.

Their nearest rivals Huby Seconds suffered only their second defeat of the season as they lost at home to Dringhouses Seconds by a nail-biting six runs, with Huby falling short of the 97 runs they needed for victory.

Despite this, Huby finish in the promotion places and are promoted alongside TABS.

In the remaining games in the division, Sheriff Hutton Seconds defeated Hovingham Seconds by 53 runs, with Dan Grimmins’ 55 being the difference as three wickets apiece were picked up by Adam Tessier (3-7) and Vince Coan (3-20), while Duncombe Park Seconds completed their season with a hard-fought win over bottom-placed Stillington Seconds as they chased 147 for victory, which they achieved for the loss of three wickets in the 47th over.