SESSAY lead Acomb by three points at the half-way stage in division one of the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League.

Their latest success came at Sheriff Hutton where the home side batted first and made 104-8. Geoff Schofield top scored with 43, an innings which included six fours, and Joe Schofield was unbeaten on 21.

Tom Wilkinson kept them in check with 5-21. The Sessay reply began briskly with Stuart Peirse and Mark Jackson taking 26 from the opening two overs.

But after Peirse was out for 17 and Mark Jackson for 22, Sessay lost their way somewhat and, at 68-4, the game was evenly poised.

Liam Ormston then swung the game back Sessay’s way with 32 not out as they passed the target in the 17th over. That left unrewarded good returns by David Hull (2-20) and Ian Bews (2-26).

Acomb continue to enjoy a good season back in the top flight and beat Newburgh last time out. Acomb batted first and reached 138-5, Matt Dale making 44, Joe Dale 26 and Freddie Littlewood 32 not out, while Newburgh’s youthful Josh Sargent bowled well to take 2-24 from his five overs.

Luke Ramsay provided the basis of the Newburgh reply with a straight half century, and Sargent continued to shine in making 26, but Joe Dale took 3-15 and ensured that Newburgh closed adrift on 109-5.

Helperby have slipped off the pace following a second successive defeat. They batted first at Thirsk and Atish Chouhan got them off to a good start with some fine stroke play but he was bowled for 32 attempting to reverse sweep James Wilkinson (2-24) and the innings fell away from that point and closed on 98-9, Tom Broadley taking 2-19.

Thirsk responded with 100-4 with six overs in hand thanks to some big hitting from Joe Caine, who made an unbeaten 53.

At the bottom, Alne recorded their first win of the season to move two points ahead of winless Sheriff Hutton.

Their victory, at Sheriff Hutton Bridge, came by the narrowest of margins.

Luke Vincent’s 48 was the backbone of their 103-3, with Ben Gill taking 2-5 for Bridge. Jon Henley (4-16) and Zac Wilson (2-21) bowled Alne to a one run victory as Bridge closed on 102-9, with Russ Robinson having made 21 and Alex Ibbotson 30.

Clifton Alliance got back to winning ways at the top of division two with a 41 run success at Easingwold.

Jamie Butt (50 ret), Jason Gatus (44) and Niall Tilsley (26no) made sure they posted a decent total in 150-2. Although Easingwold saw Rowan Capper make an unbeaten 31, they were restricted to 109-7.

Dringhouses kept up their challenge at the summit when they beat Huby by 56 runs. They posted the highest score of the evening with 159-4 with George Wilson (51ret), Danny Snaith (25) and Andrew Simpson (26no) the men in form.

Huby’s reply began in fine style through Thomas Piercy (47) and Sean Dixon (29) as they reached 69 without loss in only six overs. But once the openers were dismissed the innings fell away to 103 all out with Tom Storr (4-9) and Andrew Simpson (2-4) ensuring a comfortable win for the hosts.

Civil Service kept themselves in the running when they beat Crayke. Andy Tessier’s aggressive 52 (ret) was the main contribution in their 141-8.

Ian Pears, with 48, and Sam Fielding (35) gave Crayke real hopes of victory, but wickets started to fall and they closed on 125-6.

At the foot of the table, Raskelf won their first game of the campaign, coming out on top after a closely fought match against Rowntrees and Huntington.