RAIN was the winner of the much-anticipated clash between the top two in the Hunters York & District League premier division.

Leaders Dunnington had reached 158-2 against Studley Royal before rain brought down the curtain on proceedings at Pryers Cricket Ground.

It was a similar story for third-placed Sessay after they had got to 89-2 against Castleford.

The match between Beverley Town and Pickering looked evenly poised when it too fell victim to the weather.

Visitors Pickering made 159-8 thanks to an unbeaten 43 from Colin Franks and 32 from Mike Brown, while Matthew Mudd took 3-33.

In reply, the home side had reached 97-4 with Brad Dobson making 34 and Tim Whincup (4-26) taking all four wickets to fall.

Tom Atkinson helped Bolton Percy secure victory in a low-scoring encounter with York. He took 3-13 as the hosts struggled to 95-9 and then was on hand with a vital 31 as, despite the efforts of visiting skipper Nick Kay (4-34), they triumphed by five wickets.

A third half-century in the space of four weeks from Malton & Old Malton’s Stephen Linsley could not prevent his side losing for the fifth time to remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Neil Johnson also made 86 against a Driffield Town who had Grant Halder (4-35) and Rob Woodcock (3-57) to thank for the fact that they were only chasing 202.

Halder (48) then set the home side on the victory path but it was Luke Ramsey (44no) and Owen Goldsworthy (79no) that saw them through to the end.

The match between Goole Town and Whitkirk at Westfield must have been something of a bizarre spectacle as having restricted their hosts to 118-9 thanks to Ben Danby (4-46) and Michael O’Brien (3-15), visitors Whitkirk proceeded to bat out 39 overs to reach 57-8. That left Ben Lamb with the remarkable figures of 4-2 off 11 overs.

Hornsea's Paul Clappinson fell just five runs short of what would have been his second century of the season before rain led to the abandonment of his side's division one match with Heworth.

Steve Lawrence (3-39) and Steve Buckton (4-47) helped peg back the hosts to a total of 225 all out. Clappison was supported by Jon Fisher (55).

Heworth responded through Joe Butterworth (3-48) but solid contributions from Neil Martin (39), Will Huffer (41) and Nick Brunner (31no) meant the visitors had reached 145-6 when play ended prematurely.

Leaders Hull Zingari had to settle for a share of the points at Folkton & Flixton where no play was possible and only five overs were bowled in the match between Harrogate and Sewerby.

Knaresborough took advantage of the rain affecting the results of the sides around them to climb into the top two with a winning draw at home to Hull.

The hosts scored 163 off 23 overs thank to Nat Cutts (71) and Dave Girling (48) and then restricted their opposition to 75-5 from 20 overs with Sam Davies taking 4-19.

That all left Beverley Town as the division’s only winners as they triumphed by 39 runs at Ripon, the home side reaching 114-9 in reply to the visitors 153-5.