SHERIFF Hutton Bridge II need just five points from the last three games to lift the Hunters York & District Senior League Galtres division two title after they beat nearest rivals Pannal at home.

The visitors could only make 121-6 from their 45 overs and the champions elect surpassed the total for the loss of three wickets with Toby Latham making 50 and Jack Hugill 32.

Bottom team Stillington picked up only their second win of term after Rich Coultous took outstanding figures of 4-1 at home to Bilton In Ainsty.

The hosts made 171-6 through Karl Simpson (47), Ben Drummond (32), Tim Jarvis (31) and Jack Cartwright (32 not out). Bilton had little answer to Coultous and John Milburn (4-34) and collapsed to 66 all out.

The other club in the drop zone, Duncombe Park, also enjoyed a much-improved display at third-placed Sessay II.

Mark Jackson (49), John Flintoff (31), James Skelton (34), Tom Wilkinson (41) and Tom Sowerby (45no) saw Sessay to 221-6, Jake Fox taking 3-31. Skelton took 5-31 but Duncombe held out at 204-9, 18 short of their target, after runs from Brian Leckenby (62), Phil Rutter (38), Josh Butler (41) and Alex Medd (32).

Thirsk hosted Hovingham in a nail-biter between teams looking over their shoulders.

Alistair Thorpe (50), Richard Swan (37) and J Dawson (34) stood out in Hovingham's 180 all out. Dawson then took 5-57 but Stuart Christon (83) and James Wilkinson (33) saw the hosts up with the chase, and Ben Collinson (40no) took them over the line with only one wicket in hand.

Tadcaster Magnets' last pair hung on for 11 overs to bag a draw at Osbaldwick.

Matt Dunne (25), Lewis Sansome (44) and Matt Senior (46) saw Osso total 160-9. After opener Ed Day (27) was run out, the visitors slipped to 93-9, Dan Ellwood taking 4-44 and Matt Hattee 3-18. But the last pair survived a couple of chances to push the final score up to 131-9.

Galtres division three promotion-chasers Knaresborough II were handed 30 points as York IV conceded their match.

But leaders Rowntrees & Huntington maintained their 14-point advantage after victory at Huby.

Skipper Tom Piercy made 67 for the hosts but Paul Horner (4-29) restricted them to 144 all out. Horner (52) then combined with Tom Shaw, who took his season’s tally past 700 with 80 not out, as R&H won by eight wickets.

Wetherby were all out for 92 at Easingwold II as Josh Sargent took 3-15 and David Taylor 4-17, only Neil Thomas (44) providing opposition.

Openers Dan Copeland (60no) and Tom Langstaff (28no) sailed past their target in the 15th over, lifting Easingwold above Wetherby into third.

Also leapfrogging Wetherby were Sheriff Hutton after their seven-wicket victory over Woodhouse Grange III.

Stuart Craven made 51 and Luke Bailey 25 for Grange but Ian Bews’ 4-27 created a collapse which left them on 117-9 at the break.

Vijay Jayagopal (26) and Dave Hill (27) set up the winning reply and Richard Ainley (41no) took them home.

Osbaldwick II's 15-year-old opening bowlers, Callum Walton (3-24) and Grace Hall (4-25), made batting hard work for hosts Tadcaster Magnets II.

Rob Hill (26) and Will Walker (45) pushed the total up to 131 all out, but the visitors won by eight wickets with Jake Cartledge hitting 33 and Andy Richardson 43.

The bottom two, Heworth III and New Earswick II, drew a high-scoring game.

Earswick made 253-5, Dan Lockwood making 73 and Stuart Masheder 71. In response, the hosts faced an impressive spell of 5-52 from Ben Thornton but made a good attempt at the chase before settling at 227-8 with runs from Ollie Batt (56), Luke Taylor (39) and Rod Moorcroft 65no).

Huby II ensured the Galtres division four title race will go down to the last game as they cut the gap to leaders Thorp Arch & Boston Spa II to two points after a five-wicket victory at third-placed Heslington II.

The hosts made 145-9 through James Reynolds (51) and Geoff Smith (28), Geoff Pears taking 5-30. Huby achieved their target through Ian Varney (47), Pete Thomas (31) and Darren Howell (29).

TABS had a free week.

Strugglers Stillington II picked up their second win of the season, by eight wickets at Dringhouses II.

Ben Wood took 3-27 as the hosts were bowled out for 73 in the 20th over, Lewis Chipchase (28) top-scoring. Stillington strolled to victory, Josh Moate (55no) leading the way.

Sheriff Hutton II will finish fifth after their nine-wicket win at sixth-placed Duncombe Park II.

Dan Grimmins and Neil Fairweather both claimed 3-9 to skittle the home side for 63. Grimmins (44no) took his side to victory in the 16th over.

Hovingham II entertained Copmanthorpe II in a thrilling high-scoring draw.

The hosts declared on 236-5 after runs from Richard John (40), Peter Coultard (41), Chris Ford (58) and Ollie Coultard (55), Roy Atkinson taking 4-53.

The declaration five overs early nearly backfired as Cop chased hard with Nick Winstanley hitting 98 and Thomas Walsh 43, the visitors ending just seven runs short. However, Harrison Scufham’s 4-57 also brought the home side to within one wicket of victory.