HUNTERS’ York & District Senior League premier division leaders Easingwold saw their advantage cut to 30 points after they were held to a draw at home by Goole Town.

Antony Gibbins (51) and Ben Earl (51) gave the visitors the early advantage as they reached 161-3 before Matthew Turnbull (5-47) and Stephen Piercy (4-58) combined to devastating effect to bowl them out for 204.

The hosts stumbled to 60-5, Richard Mann (3-48) taking three wickets before Joshua Greenlay (45no) and Paul Renshaw (31no) rescued a share of the points with an unbroken 71 runs partnership for the seventh wicket.

Clifton Alliance and Driffield Town began the day in second and third places respectively and the match lived up to expectations, visitors Alliance sealing victory with their last wicket pair at the crease.

The home side led by Luke Ramsey’s 38 made 212 with David Friend returning figures of 3-14.

A century from Scott Hopkinson (117) should have been enough to see his side to a comfortable victory but Jonny Anderson (5-58) with his second five wicket haul of the campaign ensured they were made to fight all the way.

James Clarkson (75) and Dan Coad (71no) helped Studley Royal beat Bolton Percy by eight wickets with ten overs to spare, a result which lifts them into third place.

Matthew Coad earlier took 4-33 as the visitors were restricted to 194-9 – despite 77 from Tom Atkinson.

The battle to avoid relegation looks likely to be as hotly contested as the title race with the five clubs above bottom side Heworth separated by just 36 points.

Both Sessay and York secured vital victories over sides around them, whilst Hull Zingari took sufficient points from a draw at Pickering to lift them out of the bottom two.

A century from Jonathan Moxon (110) helped York declare on 267-9 against local rivals Heworth at Clifton Park, and despite Neil Martin replying with 101, the home side won by 50 runs, with Matthew Hodsdon taking 4-76.

A partnership of 123 between Andrew Burton (74no) and Robert Fish (59) rescued Beverley Town from 29-5 as they went on to reach 175-9 against Sessay for who Stephen Pierse picked up 4-31.

The visitors wasted little time chasing down the target loosing just three wickets in the process as Matthew Till made 82 and Nick Harrison finished unbeaten on 55.

Dan Ward (69) and Craig Aconley (49) helped Pickering to a total of 251-9 as Matthew Bunn (4-93) and Matthew Wilkinson 3-39) shared seven wickets.

But it was Sam Fuller who helped secure Hull Zingari vital points, making 85 of his side's total of 190-8.