With four games remaining, everything is still to play for in the first division of the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League.

Sessay’s lead at the top was cut to a single point when their latest fixture was a victim of the weather, while Thirsk beat struggling Crayke, who now find themselves in a three-way battle with Easingwold and Newburgh to avoid relegation.

Crayke batted first at Thirsk and were given a good start by Graeme Dawson and Peter Carr.

The pair had taken the score to 56 after 12 overs, but after Dawson had been dismissed for 27 and Carr for 28, the innings totally lost its way and Crayke closed on 72-8 with Ryan McKendry taking 2-21 and Mark Cook 3-9.

A rapid unbeaten 57 from Ben England then took Thirsk to victory at 77-1 in nine overs.

Newburgh turned in their best performance of the season at home to Clifton Alliance.

Dave Friend bowled a tidy spell for Alliance at the start of the innings, taking 2-12 from five overs, but Newburgh then prospered with Rob Proudley making 40 and Tom Banks 67 not out as they reached 139-4.

Clifton’s reply included 29 from Ryan Partington and 26 from James Postill, but with Dave Taylor taking 2-24 and Banks completing a fine evening’s work by taking 3-30, Alliance were held to 118-6.

Easingwold slipped back to the bottom after losing a close match against visiting Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Bridge’s 116-4 was largely due to the efforts of Mark Fisher with 51 and 35 from Daniel Kiernan. Jordan Green (2-23) had the best return for Easingwold.

The hosts’ reply was led by Tommy Langstaff (21) and Andrew Metcalfe, and while Metcalfe was at the crease Easingwold were cruising to victory.

However, after he fell for a fine 58, including six sixes, Easingwold lost their way and closed a tantalising four runs short of victory at 113-8 with Mark Fisher taking 3-19 and Daniel Clipstone 3-25.

Leaders Sessay were rendered inactive by the weather which prevented any play in their fixture with Helperby.

The same fate befell second division leaders Dringhouses whose fixture was called off because of a waterlogged ground at Raskelf.

Acomb moved into second with a 66-run triumph over Civil Service, who lost for the eighth straight time.

Matt Dale (50 ret), Joe Dale (36) and Neil Hinde (39 not out) did most to take Acomb to 156-2. Then Jack Woodworth (2-20), Hinde (3-4) and Dan Littlewood (2-12) reduced Civil Service to 90 all out despite 24 from Will Phelps.

Sheriff Hutton batted first when they entertained Alne and posted 139-4, John Armitage making 50 (ret), Rich Reynolds 25 and Joe Schofield 20 not out.

Alne’s reply included 20 from D Stirke, 27 not out from Bracken Holtby and 19 from R Shaw, but ended in arrears on 122-5 with Ben Harrison taking 2-23 for Sheriff.

Huby had a good win over visitors New Earswick. Sean Dixon made 27 and Mark Mierzwinski 51 (ret) as they totalled 129-6 with James Husband claiming 3-12 for the visitors.

Andrew Routledge (30), Mark Benson (27) and Chris Smith (18) all looked as if they might win the game for New Earswick, but Mike South tipped with scales in Huby’s favour with 4-28 and the York side were all out for 112.

After a poor start to the campaign, Rowntrees won for the second time in succession when they beat Stillington.

Toby Wells was Stillington’s outstanding performer with 31, but his colleagues had little answer to Chris Gartland (2-22), Dominic Atkinson (3-17) and Dan Waterworth (3-8) and Stillington were all out for 69.

Scott Nicholas, with an unbeaten 37, and Sean Marshall, with 16, sealed Rowntrees’ win at 72-3 in the 13th over.