EASINGWOLD clinched their 13th York and District Senior League title with a 153-run victory over Thirsk on Saturday.

The win ended Dunnington's three-year reign as champions.

The triumphant Easingwold side all live within four miles of the ground and have ten players who were coached at Easingwold school by Bill Bell whilst the 11th member of the side, Jonathon Marwood, is a teacher at the school.

Tom Piercy hit his maiden century for Easingwold, making 118 not out as 100 runs came off the final ten overs.

Earlier Martin Robinson's 36 had helped Easingwold recover from the loss of both openers for 14, while Piercy was joined in the late order by Dan Copeland who hit 42. Barry Petty took 4-93 for Thirsk who were soon in dire trouble as Jason Sargeant 3-31 and Gavin Rees 2-27 had half the side all out for 46.

The championship point came with the fall of the eighth wicket when Mark Cook was caught by skipper Martin Piercy off Dan Copeland at 73-8 and victory was confirmed when Petty was lbw to Sargeant at 86 leaving Des Wyrill unbeaten with 21 in what is likely to be his final innings in the premier division.

Dunnington's spectators were treated to a glimpse of the future when 16-year-old James Bolam hit 63 and Jonathon Bairstow, 13-year-old son of former Yorkshire wicket-keeper David, made an unbeaten 36 against York.

With Hamed Khan making 39 and Collis King 37, Dunnington took full batting points in making 215-5 as Scott Gregory took 3-68.

York's reply was fronted by Dave De Sylva who made 40no, Julian Ramsey 44 and Tom Bartram 34 but their efforts failed to reach the three-quarter mark when Hamed Khan's 3-39 restricted them to 152-6 and left the York side firmly in the relegation zone.

Beverley Town's heavy home defeat has left them with work to do on the final day of the season as they are a six points ahead of York after losing to Woodhouse Grange by 111 runs.

Grange's overseas star Kamran Sajid failed by one run to record a century but, in falling for 99, marginally improved his average to 98.38 and now seems certain to top the league averages. Skipper Mike Burdett added 36 to see Grange to 201-7.

Simon Roe's 3-80 was the best bowling performance but this paled into insignificance as Ashley Quinn took 5-18 in 13 overs to destroy the home side.

Acomb confirmed their fourth place with a last over win at Clifton Alliance who had posted a first innings score of 186-8 after John Hunter had hit 90 and John Gilham 26 in a fourth wicket stand of 106. Chris Simpson then led the response with 80 while Richard Sykes made 35. Andy Tute followed his 4-61 with 29 to see Acomb to a six-wicket win.

The most exciting game of the day saw Sessay and Heworth record a tie which ensured safety for the Sesay.

Graham Hogben (44), Darius Slabbert (41) and Richard Bowling (31) were at the forefront of Heworth's batting as Mick Polson claimed 4-47 in a total of 170-6. Polson followed with 25, while Matt Till (49) and Nick Harrison (34) added runs, but Mark Bell claimed 4-70 and Sessay's reply ended at 170-7.

Pickering entertained Sheriff Hutton Bridge at Ebberston and found themselves chasing leather as Ian Clish produced a seasonal best 64 and Steve Crowder made 47. With Paul Oldfield (22) and Dave Coverdale (20) chipping in Bridge made 220-9 despite Matt King's 6-65.

Paceman Mike Smith then blew away the hosts' top order as he took 5-31. Rob Aconley's 30 was an island in the midst of a desert before Paul Oldfield took the final two wickets in a mini-spell of four balls to leave Pickering all out for 86.

Updated: 08:48 Monday, September 06, 2004