RUNAWAY Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League division one leaders Sessay beat nearest rivals Goole Town to record their seventh victory in a row - but the remaining promotion places remain tightly contested with only nine points between Driffield Town II in third and Pickering in eighth.

Mark Wilkie (83) and Nick Harrison (52) shared a stand of 103 as the division’s top side posted 231-6 despite Richard Mann, on loan from Woodhouse Grange, taking five wickets for the visitors.

He then finished unbeaten on 35 but could not prevent Matthew Till (4-31) and Stephen Langstaff (3-33) bowling the hosts to victory. Ben Shelton was the only other batsman to offer any real resistance, making 45 from a final total of 136.

The day’s closest finish saw Osbaldwick record their first win of the season - but it was a close run thing as they held on to beat Driffield Town II by just three runs. Matthew Senior (89) top scored in the visitors' total of 203-3, with Matt Dunn (49) and Jonny Rawsthorne (45) also making valuable contributions.

Will Norman replied for the home side with 66 but Alex Rippon (4-37) and Matthew Hattee (4-53) shared eight wickets as the visitors held on for a memorable victory.

It was a tale of two openers in the match between Whitkirk and Pickering.

Shaun Smith (106) scored the day’s only century but finished on the losing side as Whitkirk skipper, and the division’s leading run scorer, Simon Webb made 76 as the points were shared.

The home side totalled 229-9 with James Malthouse (46) and Ashley Bell (41) adding to their captain’s effort as Tim Whincup took 3-49. The visitors got to within 16 runs of the target, Ryan Boyes making 41, but it was the wickets of Ben Danby (3-45) and Michael Obrein (3-46) which ensured their side got the majority of the points.

Beverley Town II’s unbeaten record remained intact as they defeated Folkton & Flixton by six wickets. Ian Gillyon (56) and Tom Norton (50) both scored half-centuries as the home side chased down the visitors' 194-6, which contained 38 each from Matthew and Jamie Nesfield.

All-rounder Peter Housman made 34 and took 3-36 as Bolton Percy beat Malton & Old Malton by 65 runs. Buddhi Mirando top scored with 53 not out as the hosts made 201-6, Ryan Gaughan (3-41) taking half the wickets to fall, before Housman’s efforts with the ball helped dismiss the visitors for 136.

Bridlington made it three wins from their last four matches when beating bottom side Sewerby by five wickets.

Sam Edmundson (5-37) and Steve Janney (3-34) helped restrict the visitors to 195, despite a stand of 101 for the fourth wicket between Scott Cooper (69) and Lewis Beasley (44).

In reply, both Edmundson (38no) and Janney (39) made useful contributions while Casey Rudd continued his excellent run, which has seen him pass fifty in four of his last five innings, as he top scored with 66.