CLIFTON Alliance were crowned premier division champions after a thrilling final day of the season in the Hunters York & District Senior League, which provided plenty of drama at both ends of the table.

Title challengers Easingwold began their match at already relegated Heworth eight points behind leaders Alliance and wasted no time asserting their dominance –Paul Skilbeck producing his best performance of the season taking 6-20 as the hosts were dismissed for just 79.

It took the visitors less than 13 overs to reach their target, Stephen Piercy (26) the only casualty as Kyle Waite (29no) and Matthew Turnbull (24no) saw their side home.

With their match concluded they could do no more as attention switched across the city to Clifton Park.

Beverley Town’s Anthony Spence (46) and Bradley Graham (38) ensured the home side did not have things all their own way, but three wickets each from the competition's leading wicket taker Alex Renton (3-31) and Dominic Snook (3-32) left the hosts chasing 173 to secure the title for the first time since 2007.

It was fitting that, having led a successful campaign, skipper Scott Hopkinson was at the crease to seal victory with an unbeaten 91, as with the help of John Gilham (30no) the hosts reached their target inside 29 overs.

There was little sign of a hangover from the Lord’s success as National Village Cup winners Sessay ran out winners in a rain shortened game at Hull Zingari.

Guy Martinson finished 65 not out and Jack Storey made 40 as the hosts powered their way to 173-3 from 25 overs, but they were unable to contain the visitors who reached 175-2 with eight balls to spare – Matthew Till making 46 and Mark Wilkie hitting an unbeaten 86.

Defeat for Hull Zingari meant if Bolton Percy could win at home to Goole Town then they would escape relegation.

Peter Houseman (4-25) and Danny White (3-33) gave the home side a chance, bowling out the visitors for 130.

And despite 3-23 from David England, the club – whose entire season looked threatened after their ground spent the early part of the year under several feet of water – climbed out of the bottom two.

That was thanks to Joe White (43) and Alistair Rigby (32), with their side securing premier division survival with victory by four wickets.

A winning draw for Studley Royal was sufficient to prevent visitors Pickering taking their fourth place in the final standings.

Rob Mackle (60) top scored in the home side's total of 203-6 which included three wickets each for Kieran Bowes (3-35) and Tim Whincup (3-45).

Charlie Scatchard (4-42) came close to securing a victory which would have put the matter beyond doubt but David Greenlay (45no) provided stout resistance as the away side closed on 171-9.

York rounded off the season with a seven-wicket victory over visitors Driffield Town thanks to half-centuries from Finlay Bean (54no) and Richard Love (65).

They came in reply to Nicky Johnson’s 43 as Matt Hodsdon (4-62) and Simon Hall (3-41) combined to great effect to bowl out their opponents for 198.