THIRSK opened up a two-point lead at the top of division one after beating former joint table-toppers Sheriff Hutton Bridge in the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge batted first when they entertained Thirsk and posted 97-7, Steve Clipston top-scoring with 20. Thirsk lost three relatively early wickets, but were seen home by Kieran Fenwick (35no) and Mark Cook (32no).

Newburgh had their best win of the season so far when they welcomed Helperby, who had been joint top with Bridge.

Dan Marston made 50 and there were cameos from Atish Chouhan (18), Tom Spilman (15) and Dan Spink (15), while youngster Josh Sargent took 2-18 for the hosts.

Newburgh's reply was led by a half-century from Tom Banks (55) and solid support came from Charles Ramsay (24) before Rob Proudley (11no) saw them home with three balls to spare, despite the efforts of Dan Marston (2-25) and Ollie Swiers (2-30).

Sessay kept their hopes alive with a comfortable win over visitors Sheriff Hutton.

Sheriff were hampered by John Armitage having to retire hurt on 16 when he took a nasty blow from a top edge, and closed on 92-6.

Youngster Josh Ainley made 24 not out, with Chris Gartland adding 21, while Craig Easton (3-18) bowled a good five-over spell for Sessay. Stuart Peirse led Sessay's reply with 57 not out, while James Mannion supported well with 29 not out as Sessay reached 96 without loss at the start of the 15th over.

Alne gave themselves hope of getting off the bottom with a convincing win over Clifton Alliance.

Eddie Myers (65) provided the basis of their 125-7, Stuart Morley junior supporting with 31, while Jamie Butt returned 5-34 for Clifton.

The Clifton reply never threatened and, although Joe Kilvington made 22, they were all out for 71, with Sam Raper (3-2) and Zac Wilson (2-21) in charge.

Acomb continue to lead the second tier following a rapid victory over Huby.

Sean Dixon made 50 retired but got scant support as Huby struggled to 92-9 with Joe Dale (2-18) having the best figures.

Aiden Burton then made 51 retired and Matt Williams 35 not out as Acomb raced to 95-0 in only the ninth over.

Easingwold kept up the pressure on the leaders when they beat Rowntrees & Huntington, who have now dropped off the pace with a second successive reverse.

Jack Hugill (50 ret), Nick Johnson (23) and David Ward (20) provided the bulk of their 113-4, with Max Cosgrove returning 2-27 for the hosts.

Dan Copeland got the Easingwold reply off to a flying start with 51 retired and they reached a winning 115-4 with an over and a half to spare, Mark Mierzwinski making 18. Hugill took all the home wickets to fall and finished with 4-27.

Dringhouses maintained their challenge with a 30-run triumph at Raskelf.

Chris Storey (43no) and Lewis Chipchase (35) were mainly responsible for their 128-5 with Gavin Lowe (2-29) doing well for Raskelf.

Sam Porter made 40 in the Raskelf reply and there were also contributions from Richard Brown (18) and Harry Ellis (16), but they closed on 98-6 with Jacob Green taking 2-20.

Civil Service won at Crayke. Dave Thomas made 33 as Crayke reached 74-7, Phil Northing taking 2-16 for Civil Service.

Crayke's youngsters made the York side work hard in reply before they reached 75-2 in the 18th over. John Ayre hit 39.