AFTER suffering seven successive defeats, Harrogate gained a modicum of success when they held out for a draw at Hovingham in division two.

Hovingham set a total of 183-8 as Jonty Rounthwaite made 54 and Simon Mosey 26 with 'Gate's Ben Woolman claiming 4-53. When Harrogate replied Andy Crystal made 44 and James Brecknock 32 before D Mantle steered them to a draw at 157-7 with an unbeaten 42.

There was another thriller at Rowntrees when Studley Royal visited Mille Crux when the game ended in a perfect tie with each side making 155-8.

Andy Mackle was in charge in the first half of the game as he took 6-54 for the Royals with Rowntrees' runs coming from Gerry Capelin 48 and Paul Horner 46.

In response, Mark Skinner made 58 and Richard Nicholson 34no but Horner claimed 3-62 to bring about a dead heat.

Sewerby continue to head the pack after successfully chasing a Crayke total of 220-4 which was achieved through Paul Hutchinson 89, Eric Watson 74no and Jonathon Wright 41. Mitchell Rowing then replied with 65 and Mike Artley made 53 leaving Steve Edmundson to take Sewerby to a five-wicket win with an unbeaten 54.

The coastal battle at North Marine Road saw Scarborough emerge as victors over Bridlington to replace their opponents in second place.

Brid were able to post a total of 200-6 as Brian Rudd made 42, Simon Garton 50, Ian Shipley 25 and Steve Daniells 31. Scarborough's successful bowlers were Mark Wells 3-62 and Craig Sanderson 3-38.

When the home side replied, wicketkeeper George Rounthwaite made 53 before becoming the lone casualty before Richard Brook and Luke Van Kempen knocked off the required runs with the former making 78no and his partner 37no

Two more sides to earn their five batting points were hosts Dringhouses and victors Hemingbrough who notched a six-wicket victory.

John Crowe 31 and Bob Taylor 46no featured in Dringy's 204-7 as Gautam Singh took 3-81. The decisive innings then came from Maqsood Aktar whose unbeaten 93 was abetted by John Waterhouse 45 and Chris Taylor 51 as Hemingbrough replied with 207-4.

The division's only low scoring game occurred on the highly rated track at Stamford Bridge where Castleford were knocked over for 92 by Graham Tipping who took 6-24.

After losing two early wickets, Stamford were then steered to an eight-wicket triumph by Matt Beckett 40no and Phil Hill 35no.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, June 14, 2004