NEWBURGH took a slender one-point lead at the top of Pilmoor Evening Cricket League division one after beating Helperby while Sheriff Hutton Bridge tied at Sessay.

The champions enjoyed a seven-wicket triumph with an over to spare.

Dylan Steyn hit 58 and Lewis Rees-Hughes 30 as hosts Helperby set 117-6, Luke Ramsay (2-21) and Tommy Banks (2-26) enjoying some success with the ball.

Mark Mierzwinski masterminded the Newburgh reply, ending unbeaten on 64. S Webster (2-29) was Helperby's most successful bowler.

Sessay lost early wickets at home to Sheriff Hutton Bridge but the innings was rescued by stand-in skipper Mark Jackson’s excellent 66 and the closed on 122-6, Ben Harrison taking 3-22.

SHB's reply began well with Jack Hugill making 31 and Paul Scaling 21, but Sessay fought back again.

Bridge still looked firm favourites when they needed only three from the last over, with Rob Stevens (30no) going well. However, Stevens was denied the strike and, when he finally got it, it was only for the final ball with two needed. The single he took tied the contest, Arran Bumby (2-22) having rescued a point for Sessay with a fine effort at the death.

Dringhouses went third after edging neighbours Acomb.

Dringhouses made 134-7, Tom Owen (30), Sam Lingard (25), Paul Milner (25) and Danny Snaith (18no) all contributing, while Jack Spence took 3-20.

Spence also shone with the bat, leaving Acomb on target for victory with 13 needed from the last two overs. Tight bowling, however, saw them end on 130-3. Spence finished unbeaten on 64 and Tom Neal was 18 not out, Haydn Bradley having earlier made 27. George Wilson’s spell of four overs for only nine runs proved significant.

Thirsk stayed bottom after losing at home to Clifton Alliance. They posted a competitive 142-4 with Richard Kirby making 57 as Joe Kilvington and J Bean each took 2 - 23. James Brecknock then made 54 as Alliance won by seven wickets.

Division two leaders Huby were shocked at home to Crayke, allowing Raskelf to draw level again at the top.

Huby's batting was undermined by George Pears (4-27), Max Lord top-scoring with 39 as they closed on 112-9.

Crayke’s reply was led by youngster Joe Wright, who made 50 retired, before the more experienced Graeme Dawson (29no) saw them home with nine wickets spare.

Raskelf beat Alne by five wickets but only off the penultimate delivery.

Alastair Jackson (35) top-scored in Alne's 109-9, his colleagues struggling against Matthew Hawkhead (2-20), A Porter (2-31) and Harry Ellis (2-14).

Raskelf were pushed all the way in reply, Sam Porter (53 ret) and Harry Ellis (20no) playing the match-winning innings. T Raper took 2-17 for Alne.

Stillington enjoyed a welcome win against Rowntrees & Huntington. Josh Moate (35no) took Stillington to 121-6, M Hollitt having made 26 with Dan Waterworth taking 2-11.

Stephen Beales (35) and Josh de Silva (28) led the R&H reply, but Moate took 3-21 and D Jarvis 2-27 as the visitors ended on 108-6.

Geoff Schofield (25), John Armitage (24) and Tom Bews (24) saw Sheriff Hutton post 115-5 at Easingwold, Ollie Tanner-Smith taking 3-25 from his five overs.

Aubrey Towler (29), Josh Summerscales (21) and Tom Wilson (38no) saw Easingwold win by six wickets in the 17th over despite Ian Bews' 2-20.