THE battle to avoid relegation at the bottom of York & District Senior League Galtres division two is beginning to heat up as both Hovingham and New Earswick recorded important wins.

Following on from their nail-biting one run win last week, Hovingham entertained Bilton In Ainsty and asked the visitors to bat first.

Rob Hildreth compiled 50 for Bilton but the rest of the order struggled against Stephen Mosey’s 6-27, which kept the first innings score to 152 all out.

Hovingham made steady progress in reply with Tim Lambert’s 3-47 making the home team work for their runs – but Rich Bowling’s 39 not out saw Hovingham home for the loss of six wickets.

In the battle of last season’s promoted sides, New Earswick claimed a convincing victory at home to Stillington.

Batting first, the visitors struggled to 99-9 with Martyn Hewitson’s 4-30 causing most of the damage. Only Karl Simpson’s 30 made an impression with the bat.

In response, New Earswick made short work of their target and reached the 100 runs needed for the loss of three wickets, Luke Whittaker making 31 and Kev Barker seeing his side home with 45 not out.

At the other end of the table, the victories keep coming for Sheriff Hutton Bridge 2nds and Pannal.

Undefeated Bridge visited Thorp Arch & Boston Spa and were asked to bat first.

They made 202-6 which was built around Paul Oldfield’s 81 with good support from Harry Sutcliffe (29) and Nick Scaling (34 not out).

TABS lost wickets at regular intervals in response and – despite contributions from Andy Jones (30) and Nitikant Kasana (41) – wickets from Nadeem Shefta (4-24) and Tom Magee (3-32) completed the victory with the home team bowled out for 163.

Third-placed Sessay 2nds entertained second-placed Pannal and, batting first, made 191-4 from a rain reduced 41 overs.

That included contributions from Darren Atkinson (53) and a quick-fire stand between Tom Sowerby (25 not out) and Tom Wilkinson, whose 51 not out included four sixes.

Pannal kept up with the rate all the way but, in an exciting climax, the third century of the season by Andy Ellis (105 not out) saw his team over the line off the last ball of the match.

That saw them record the 30 points with five wickets in hand.

Osbaldwick travelled to Thirsk off the back of three successive defeats but won the toss and inserted the home side.

Stuart Christon batted fluently in making 64 but found little support from the rest of the team as they were bowled out for 136 with Matt Hattee claiming 4-22.

In response, the visitors set about the total with openers Matt Dunne (27) and Lewis Sansome (40) getting Oso’s noses in front before Rich Carew (33 not out) and Matt Hattee (31 not out) saw their team home for the loss of two wickets with seven overs remaining.

The other game in the division between Duncombe Park and Tadcaster Magnets was abandoned with no play.