THE gap between runaway leaders Whitkirk and their would-be challengers for the Hunters York & District Senior League Division One crown widened further after none of the other sides who started the day in the top five could manage a victory.

Matthew and Simon Webb both made half-centuries as the Selby Road outfit scored 223-8 against Bridlington, David Tubby also contributing 42 while Simon Leeson returned 4-36 for the visitors.

There were three wickets each for Robert Flynn (3-28) and James Malthouse (3-22) as the visitors responded largely through Richard Lount (56) – but it was Michael O'Brien who finished with the best figures of 4-29 as the hosts completed a sixth straight win.

Folkton & Flixton leapt from sixth to second on the back of a nine-wicket victory over Beverley Town. Chris Mann (4-20) and Harry Walmsley (4-25) combined to bowl out the home side for 100 – 42 of which came from Will Harrison, one of only two players to reach double figures in a disappointing batting display.

The visitors then coasted to victory thanks to a half-century from Anthony Stones and 36 by Michael Dennis.

Malton & Old Malton are up to third after Neil Johnson (74) helped secure a five-wicket win at Hornsea.

That came in response to 79 from Douglas Griebenhow, who scored almost half of the hosts' 165 as Ryan Gaughan took 3-28.

In addition to Johnson's effort, the visitors' reply also included 28 from Stephen Linsley before Tom Harrison saw them over the line with an unbeaten 25.

Harrogate, having begun the day in second, dropped three places after a disappointing showing against Selby.

Gareth Roberts took 5-33 as the visitors made just 138, despite which they were in with a chance as the hosts slumped to 26-3, only for a match-winning unbroken partnership of 141 between Matt Hoyle (61no) and Eliott Precious (60no) to dash their hopes.

A century stand between Scott Cooper (60) and Lewis Beasley (43) allowed Sewerby to reach 208-8 against Patrington, despite three wickets each for Ashley McKinley (3-29) and Ian Buss (3-48).

Buss then went on to top score with 35 for the visitors as they took a share of the points, reaching 183-8 in reply, Adrian Long (3-35) having the best figures among the hosts' bowlers.

The day's most one-sided game saw Osbaldwick take just a single point from their match against Pocklington.

The hosts were bowled out for 106, with Connaire Brattan taking 4-24, and that was followed by 69 from Ted Donkin as the visitors reached their target for the loss of just one wicket.