THIRSK and Sessay are still battling it out for the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League division one title after a rain-affected week.

Heavy rain halted play in four matches, but the top two both played to a conclusion and Thirsk hold a one-point lead over Sessay with two weeks of the season remaining.

Thirsk batted first against a young Acomb side and posted 163-5, with Anthony Elders making 72 not out and Ryan McKendry 21.

Bottom-placed Acomb never threatened an upset and were all out for 70, with Andrew Green and C Foster each making 20. Thirsk’s Ben Morgan took 2-19 and Elders 2-3.

Sessay kept up their challenge with a last-over win over Newburgh.

Charles Ramsay (25) and Jason Sargent (21) helped Newburgh to 82-7. Luke Ramsay had the best return for Sessay with 4-23.

Sessay lost wickets regularly as Jason Sargent took 2-19 and Dave Taylor 2-20, but Nick Thorne made 27 and Jacob Spencer’s unbeaten 24 saw them home at 83-7 to leave Newburgh deep in the relegation area.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge all but guaranteed their survival with a fine win over Clifton Alliance.

A 145-run partnership between Paul Scaling (101no) and Brendan Ledgeway (59no) took Bridge to 175-2.

Alliance’s Nick Hinde made 52 and Joel Hughes 28 not out, but Jamie Gavin took 2-37 and Ledgeway 3-29 as Clifton closed well adrift on 137-7.

Crayke made a promising start against Easingwold, reaching 45-1 in 6 overs before the weather called a halt with Jamie Perkins 27 not out.

Only one match survived in division two, so Helperby still lead the division by a point from Civil Service and Stillington, and by two points from Alne.

Rowntrees beat visitors Sheriff Hutton.

Sheriff made 99-6, with Nick Schofield and Andy Frank each making 19, while Chris Gartland took 3-20 for the hosts.

John Dowd and Jack Gabattiss each made 34 as Rowntrees reached 103-4 in the 16th over.