Clifton Alliance reinforced their Pilmoor Evening Cricket League title claims after inflicting only the second defeat of the season on leaders Thirsk.

Clifton batted first at Thirsk and it was former Thirsk player Sean Holmes who top-scored, making 65 out of Clifton’s 121-3.

Brothers Ryan and Liam McKendry looked to be setting up a Thirsk win as Ryan made 30 and Liam 22, but Clifton stuck to their guns and wickets fell steadily with James Postill taking 2-17.

The Clifton fielding was also a pivotal factor as four run-outs hastened Thirsk’s demise at 116 all out with just one delivery remaining.

Sessay batted first at Easingwold and although several batsmen made starts, only Stuart Peirse (22) got past 20 as Easingwold kept control through Tommy Langstaff (2-29) and Tom Cosgrove (3-24).

Although wicketless, youngster Harry Elliot typified the accuracy of Easingwold’s attack, his five overs conceding only 17 runs as Sessay scraped to 101-7.

Andrew Metcalfe led the Easingwold reply with an unbeaten 56 and with Paul Skilbeck adding 28, Easingwold ran out comfortable victors at 102-3.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge did their survival hopes a power of good with the narrowest of wins at Acomb.

David Speake’s 38 was a key factor in Bridge’s 124-8, with Andy Tute taking 3-12 and Cameron Sanderson 2-23 for the hosts. In reply, several Acomb batsmen got into the teens in support of Andy Green who made an unbeaten 54, but Jamie Gavin’s 3-16 proved vital as Acomb closed on 123-6.

In the second division, leaders Helperby lost at home to Alne, who posted 101-5.

The home reply fell at 82 all out with the attack of Toby Stirk (2-7), O Spark (2-27) and Steve Back (2-25) excelling.

Civil Service took advantage of Helperby’s slip with a victory over Sheriff Hutton. Put in to bat, Sheriff made 122-9 with J Uttley making 50 (ret) and D Harrison 35, Colin Heath taking 3-37 for Civil Service.

The Service reply was led by the consistent Will Phelps who made 38, and with Alex Ingram adding 32 and Graham Sherlock 42 not out, the York side took the points at 126-4.

Stillington remain in the promotion frame after a win over visitors Rowntrees.

Adrian Leckenby (24), Wayne Linton (33 not out) and Oliver Everard (22) provided the basis of Stillington’s 135-6 against Kevin Palmer (3-33) and Syed Wahid (2-25).

Graham Pearce led the visitors’ reply with 40, but Linton (2-14), Everard (2-23) and Karl Simpson (2-17) kept their side on top as Rowntrees fell short on 113-8.