CASTLEFORD are back on top of Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North after returning to winning ways with a 69-run home victory over Stamford Bridge.

Chesney Hughes featured in three half-century partnerships, including one for the fourth wicket alongside captain David Wainwright (32), before he was eventually dismissed for 74, one of four wickets for James Keast (4-50), as the home side reached 211-9.

Matthew Rees (2-25) picked up the key wickets of Jack Timby and Benjamin Pearson early in the visitors’ reply. David Wainwright took 6-32 as Bridge were bowled out for 142.

Dunnington climbed above Woodhouse Grange into second, last-wicket pair Matt Beckett and Dave Brent steering them to a memorable victory at Sandhill Lane.

Christopher Bilton (51) continued his early-season form with a fifth half-century and, alongside Harry Gamble (42) and Jarryd Basson (34), helped the hosts reach 218-6, the total boosted by an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 54 between Tom Young and Stephen Burdett.

The visitors slipped to 46-3, Young (3-29) with two of his three wickets, before Adam Sutcliffe (37) and George Drury (32) joined forces to get them back on track. Daniel Barrett struck a quick-fire 40 off 31 balls but when the ninth wicket fell, eight runs were still needed for victory.

Acomb began the day as leaders - but such is the nature of this season’s competition, a defeat at York, where they were bowled out for just 70, sees them drop to fifth.

Neil Laidlaw enjoyed a YPLN debut to remember, his 5-22 including the dangerous Darius D’Silva (31) who top scored.

Skipper Matthew Dale (16) was the only other batter to reach double figures. He was dismissed by Tom Bates (3-18), who bowled unchanged throughout the innings.

The hosts lost a couple of wickets during the chase, but captain Duncan Snell (30 not out) ensured there was no real drama as his side coasted home inside 17 overs.

Clifton Alliance have replaced Driffield Town in the bottom two after a 66-run loss at a resurgent Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Tommy Hudson (109) became the first Bridge batter to post a century this season. His partnership of 119 with Robert Stevens (65no) came at a pivotal point in the match with their side on 111-5. Stevens saw out the innings, which closed on 252-9.

When Freddie Collins (3-41) captured the wickets of the visitors’ top three, the contest looked to be heading the way of the home side. Craig Nicoll struck a defiant unbeaten 40 but the target never looked threatened, leaving Alliance with just one win from their first nine matches.

The closest finish of the day came at King’s Mill Road where Nicky Johnson was given out obstructing the field off the final ball as Driffield Town lost to Scarborough by one run.

Breidyn Schaper, who scored 81 the previous week against Castleford, was again in the runs for the visitors this time making 86, opener Oliver Stephenson contributing 64 and James Wainman 34 as the innings closed on 245-9.

Teenager opener Noah Kelly scored 84 in reply and Owen Goldsworthy (51) scored a run-a-ball half-century to go alongside a similar effort from Danny Broumpton (50).

Yorkshire Academy made it four wins from their last five with a convincing seven-wicket win over bottom-of-the-table Harrogate.