Pilmoor League title hunt to go to the wire (From York Press)

Pilmoor Evening Cricket League title hunt to go to the wire

10:04am Wednesday 3rd August 2011 in Pilmoor League

The Pilmoor Evening Cricket League first division champions will be decided in the final round of fixtures when Sessay, a point in arrears, entertain leaders Thirsk in a winner-takes-all duel.

Both teams won their penultimate fixtures to set up the showdown.

Newburgh batted first at Thirsk and posted 109-5, with James Banks (46) the main contributor. Anthony Elders took 2-15 before top-scoring in the home reply with 32.

Liam McKendry and Kieron Fenwick each added 25 and Thirsk reached a winning 112-5 in 14 overs.

Sessay kept up their challenge with a straightforward win over Easingwold.

Jacob Spencer (32) and Matthew Wass (46) got them off to a good start and, after Paul Flintoff added an unbeaten 34, they closed on 160-5.

Tommy Langstaff, who took 3-31, also top-scored with 22 in Easingwold’s reply, but they were never in the chase limping to 66-6 with Sam Robinson taking 2-9 and Joe Watson 2-24 .

Crayke’s struggles continued with a heavy reverse against Clifton Alliance, who made 152-4 with Nick Hindle hitting 44 and James Postill 37.

In reply, Sam Peel made an unbeaten 28 and Graeme Dawson 23, but Crayke closed on 89-4 with Dave Friend taking 2-19.

Dringhouses lost for the first time when entertaining Sheriff Hutton in division two.

John Patrick made 29 and Lewis Chipchase 27, but Sheriff bowled tidily, especially Chris Gartland (2-17) and Vince Coan (2-23), to restrict the hosts to 110-8.

Struggling Sheriff were rescued by a hard-hitting 42 from Jag Gopolappa before last man P Batley struck the winning four.