EASINGWOLD returned to the top of the Hunters York & District Senior League Premier Division as both the leaders Clifton Alliance and second-placed Sessay suffered surprise defeats, while Studley Royal are up to second as just 20 points separate the five sides vying for the title.

Clifton Alliance drop two places after they lost by one wicket in a low-scoring match at Bolton Percy, who still remain just outside the relegation places.

Alex Renton, the division’s leading wicket-taker, bagged 5-17 as the hosts finished on 126-9.

Earlier, the visitors had been dismissed for 124, thanks largely to Tom Atkinson (4-16) and Peter Houseman (3-13).

Sessay are down to fourth after an excellent all-round performance from Nick Kay helped York end their hosts’ unbeaten start to the season.

Matthew Till made 94 in a total of 178 as Oliver Leadham took 3-41 and Kay 5-31. York chased down their target with 13 overs to spare, thanks to a quickfire 65 from Richard Love and an unbeaten 47 from Kay.

Easingwold head the table after beating Pickering by six wickets with just seven balls to spare thanks to Kyle Waite (97no) and James Postill (47no). They cashed in on the good work of Matthew Turnbull who scored a half-century to go with the three wickets he took as the away side reached 252-9. David Greenlay made 64 not out and Colin Frank (49) for Pickering.

An unbeaten century from Ian Dixon (119no) provided half the runs in Studley Royal’s 238, which also included 37 from Dan Coad.

David England (4-60) bowled well for Goole Town, who denied the visitors victory as their last-wicket pair stood firm to reach 181-9. Antony Gibbins top scored with 39 as James Clarkson took 3-29.

Driffield Town came out on top at local rivals Beverley Town, winning by 75 runs.

Luke Ramsey (67) top-scored in the his side's 240-7 and, despite Matthew Mudd replying with 53 for the hosts, they were bowled out for 165, with wickets from Johnny Anderson (4-43) and Jordan Caley (3-35).

Hull Zingari won the battle of the bottom two, beating Heworth at home by four wickets.

Ian Lynch (48) and Salman Syed (47) both just missed out on half-centuries as the visitors scored 226-8 as Matthew Scarr took 4-31 and Callum Hellwig (3-69).

Hellwig (54) was one of three batsmen to pass fifty as the hosts replied with 230-6, Matthew Bunn (66) and Tom Jones (51) were the other two.

Despite the result, both sides remain in the bottom two and will need to improve if they are to avoid relegation from the top flight.