LEADERS Hull Zingari fought off the challenge of fellow Hunters York & District Senior League division one promotion rivals Harrogate – but only just, winning at St George’s Road with just two balls to spare.

Ben Kempley continued in the rich vein of form which has seen him score two centuries in the previous three matches, this time it was a 'mere' 51.

Along with Oliver Horbury (55) and Alistair Bradley (57), he helped build a total of 247-9 despite three wickets each from Matthew Bunn (3-38) and Simon Powdrell (3-38).

Alex Dale top-scored in response with 53, Alistair Markham (45) and Graham Wilkinson (41) also contributing to the narrow victory.

An unbeaten century from Sam Wragg (104no) – and his opening stand worth 142 with Adrian Long – helped secure Sewerby’s eight wicket win at home to Beverley Town.

Long had earlier picked up four wickets for just nine runs and Chris Mann returned figures of 3-17 but despite both the visitors still managed to reach 170 with Tom Norton making 50.

The result lifts Sewerby into second above Knaresborough who narrowly avoided defeat at home to Folkton & Flixton, Will Norman (65), Richard Malthouse (45) and Matthew Nesfield (41) all contributing as the visitors closed on 214-9 in pursuit of 228-4.

It was an equally tight finish in the match between Dringhouses and Heworth, the former winning with the last wicket pair at the crease. Liam Hancy was the hero with an unbeaten 43 as Daniel Walton (3-48) and Stephen Lawrence (4-38) tried to defend a total of 164-9.

Earlier, Nick Brunner had made 56 as Dringhouses’ pair Tom Owen (3-37) and Sam Lingard (3-46) shared six wickets.

Ashley McKinley went past 500 runs for the season but, despite his second century to go with four fifties, Hornsea still lost at home to Ripon by seven runs.

Rob Taylor (66) and Elliott Oates (69) helped the visitors score 226-8, then James Briscombe (3-55) and Henry Saul (3-36) took three wickets as the home side were bowled out for 219.

There was also a century for Matthew Hoyle (113) as bottom-of-the-table Selby recorded their first win of the season, beating fellow strugglers Hull by six wickets in a high-scoring contest.

Fergus Wilkinson (75no) was the top scorer as Hull reached 280-4 but it was a real team effort with Lawrence Wilkinson (51) and Martin Watkins (53) also making half-centuries.

The reply was led by Hoyle but Alex Bowden also added 72 before Eliott Precious (41no) and Lee Wild (34no) secured victory.