THE Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League premier division got under way in earnest after last week's wet weather and the game of day took place between two of last season’s promoted sides - Pickering beating Goole Town by three wickets with five balls to spare.

The visitors set a target of 222-6 thanks to Ashton Nottingham's 100 and 64 not out from Ben Earl, Keiran Bowes taking 4-46.

The hosts' reply centred around 60 from Chris Nichols while their leading run-scorer from last year, David Greenway (31), was one of several to make useful contributions.

Another exciting finish saw hosts Driffield Town get home with one wicket to spare against Hull Zingari.

Matthew Bunn made 52 as the visitors were bowled out for 153 thanks to Grant Halder (4-20) and Jamie Greavson (3-39).

Former Fenner bowler Grant Van Es took 3-25 in Town's reply but Richard Grice (28) and Luke Ramsey (27) helped see them over the line.

Studley Royal got their season off to a spectacular start as Rob Mackle (138no) and Rob Nicholson (100no) hit unbeaten centuries as they declared on an imposing 283-2. In Heworth's reply, only Salman Syed (29) offered resistance as the visitors were dismissed for 98, debutant Joshua Chandler picking up 3-18.

Richard Brown's unbeaten 112 came in a losing cause as York lost at home to neighbours Clifton Alliance by five wickets. Alex Renton took 3-43 to restrict the home side to 194-7, then Andy Parkinson (90) and Adam Slater (50) helped the visitors reach their target with seven overs to spare.

Easingwold had the best of a draw at home to last season’s runaway division one champions, Sessay.

Wold's 214 included a half-century for Kyle Waite, Matthew Till taking 4-34. Stephen Piercy, having contributed 30 with the bat, picked up three wickets and, alongside James Postill (3-10), restricted the visitors to 178-8 despite Nick Harrison's 62 not out.

Beverley Town beat the other promoted side, Bolton Percy, in a low-scoring contest.

Jamie Roe (3-27) and Bradley Graham (3-31) dismissed the away side for 138, Will Phelps top scoring with 43.

Will Parker then made 83 for the hosts and, despite three wickets from the division’s leading wicket taker last season, Danny White, it took just 26 overs for Beverley to reach their target.

Division one's top score of 152 belonged to Anthony Stones in Folkton & Flixton's 284-4.

In a match moved from Osbaldwick to Filey Road, Ben Richardson (4-78) was the only visiting bowler to make an impression.

Harry Walmsley (4-35) was among the wickets in the reply but James Smith (44) and Joseph Broomfield (42) helped Osbaldwick reach 197-9 for a share of the points.

Mark Murphy made 116 of Whitkirk’s 197 against Beverley Town. Michael Obrien contributed 40 and then took three wickets as Town were dismissed for 178, Michael Cooke making 66.

Harrogate were eight-wicket winners at home to Pocklington. Mark Sapwell made 103 and Richard Readman 42 for the visitors, but George Ellaby bettered Sapwell’s effort with an unbeaten 116 and his partnership with Richard Burcher (92no) saw their side to victory with almost 15 overs to spare.

Hornsea beat Patrington by 49 runs. Mark Battye (45) top-scoed in the hosts' 150 as Glenn Ratcliffe took 5-32. Richard Medforth replied with 3-11 as the visitors toiled for almost 43 overs before being bowled out for 101.

Division two north champions Selby marked their return to the division one with a three-wicket win at home to Sewerby.

Lewis Beasley made 58 in the visitors' 156 as Elliot Precious (3-32) and Lee Wild (3-42) shared six of the nine wickets. Wild then made with 27 and Gary Moore 39 in the victorious reply,

Malton & Old Malton had a comfortable victory over Bridlington. Despite Grant Hutton' 5-46, Malt reached 187, through Stephen Linsley (40) and Neil Johnson (37).

Anthony Heaton (50) held the visitors’ innings together but they were bowled out for 115, Daniel Foxton claiming 3-15.