Stamford Bridge’s hopes of clinching the Hunter’s York & District Senior Cricket League premier division runners-up spot were scuppered at Clifton Alliance.

The hosts, needing five points to stave off the possibility of relegation, won by six wickets.

Stamford batted first and had their progress restricted by Scott Hopkinson, whose 3-14 was slightly superior to the 3-18 claimed by Rich Carroll.

Kev Murphy, with 34, and Oliver Pimlott, 26, were the pick of Stamford’s batsmen but their 113 all out was clearly inadequate.

This proved to be the case when Joe Ashdown's unbeaten 56 steered the Alliance to a six-wicket win despite 4-14 by Dave Craven.

An innings of 77 by Collis King not only lifted his season’s aggregate to 974 but also set up a 116-run victory for Dunnington at Studley Royal.

He was well supported by Kev Bradley who made 34, in a total of 222-5.

Josh Snowden’s 4-26 cut the hosts down for 106.

Acomb started the day eighth, but found themselves relegated after a series of circumstances combined with their eight-wicket loss at York.

Chief architect of their downfall was Nick Kay. He claimed 4-19 as Acomb were toppled for 80, and then made 36no as he and Simon Lambert 41no excelled.

Champions Woodhouse Grange defeated bottom-placed Selby only by a narrow three-wicket margin.

The Selby innings was led by Tom Collins (42) and Darrell Guy (34). Steve Burdett (3-20) and Tom Quinn (3-22) bowled well for Woodhouse Grange.

Selby bowled and fielded tightly with Collins taking 3-38, but Chris Bilton (36) held the innings together.

There was satisfaction at Sheriff Hutton Bridge where a drawn match in the home side’s favour confirmed them as runners-up, their highest rating since winning the title in 1989.

It also ensured visiting Sewerby retained their premier division status.

The Bridge wobbled at 91-6 after Ben Dobson (4-33) caused problems, but 15-year-old Ed Barnes hit his first League half-century, an undefeated 53 lifting the total to 174-9.

When Sewerby replied Luke Jennison made 26 but tight bowling kept the Bridge in control. Results began to filter through which indicated a draw would ensure Sewerby safety, which they duly got.

In division one, Hull Zingari wicket-keeper Nick Biggs claimed two victims to lift his season haul to 45 and break the record of Acomb’s Richard Sykes – 44 victims in the premier division in 2004.

Biggs’ helped to dismiss Pickering for 130 despite Dave Greenlay’s 38 and 35 from Mark Shepherd.

Shepherd took 3-12 but Guy Martinson (45) and Ali Markham (26) engineered Zingari's 12th win of the season.