BOLTON PERCY maintained the pressure on the top two clubs in Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League division two as they had the better of a draw at home to Whitkirk.

Tom Malloch hit 77 and skipper Matt Westwood 52 in their side’s 200-6 in a 38-over match.

Whitkirk held on for the draw at 153-9 with the last pair at the wicket as Danny White took 5-36 in a 17-over spell.

Mark Murphy top-scored with 54 for the visitors, and team-mate Richard Simpson weighed in with 46.

In the only other game in the division to reach a conclusion, the Beales family starred for York III as they took the bulk of the points in a draw at Osbaldwick.

Batting first, York reached 155-4 thanks mainly to Tim Clarke (39), Carl Blundell (49) and Sam Beales (35no).

Osbaldwick were restricted to 117-8 with Steve Beales taking 4-36 despite a valiant effort from Andy Hall (31) with the bat.

Among the games to fall foul of the weather were Malton & Old Malton’s home clash with Londesborough Park and Ripon’s trip to Pocklington.

Carlton Towers’ trip to Thorp Arch & Boston Spa was the only game to be completed in division three.

Towers closed on 130-8 after their hosts had scored 150-7.

Spa’s Andy Heaps hit 49 not out, took two wickets and ran out a Carlton player. Simon Boddye had earlier claimed a 4-48 return for the visitors.

Division four leaders Woodhouse Grange increased their stranglehold at the top with a two-wicket win at Easingwold, who totalled 71-8.

The only other match in the division to start saw visitors Bubwith 34-4 at Stillington before rain stopped play.

Meanwhile, York IV toppled leaders Castleford in a reduced-overs clash in division five.

Cas totalled 156-2 thanks to Simon Tucker (66) and Simon Parker (62no), but it was not enough as York recorded a four-wicket win.

Andy Griffin’s 55 not out inspired York and he was supported by Tom Copeland (35no) and Nick Elliott (35). Castleford’s Harry Collins took 3-22.