Thirsk skipper Barry Petty took his 400th Hunters the Estate Agent York and District Senior League top-flight wicket when he struck the first blow in a game played at Sessay because of Thirsk races.

Petty, who is more than 100 wickets ahead of his nearest rival, reached the milestone when he had opener Matthew Till caught by wicket-keeper Des Wyril for 20 in a miserly spell of 4-28 from 25 overs. He had good support from 16-year-old Neil Laidlaw who took 4-36 as Sessay were held to 127-9.

John Flintoff made a top score of 39 but his efforts were in vain when an unbeaten 47 from teenager John Cook steered Thirsk to a five-wicket win which propelled his side to third place in the premier division.

Easingwold completed a hat-trick of wins to stay top at the expense of Heworth who are already 21 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Dave Simpson made 33 and Darius Slabbert 27 before Heworth slumped to 75-5 as Martin Robinson (3-11) and Gavin Rees (3-28) eventually dismissed the visitors for 115. Robinson hit 66 as his side coasted to a seven-wicket victory.

Newly-promoted York II are still searching for their first win after having to buckle down to a draw at Beverley. Home batsman Oliver Grantham hit 83 and Andy Burton 34 as Beverley made 195-8 with Graham Mackfall taking 3-27. York's survival was engineered by Andy Kay who batted throughout the 50 overs for 64no in a 132-5 total.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge skipper Paul Oldfield was another opener to carry his bat, undefeated with 61 in his side's 143-8 against Dunnington. Ajaz Akhtar bowled throughout to take 3-52 for the champions who won by eight wickets.

Opener Paul Miles made 30 before a fierce shot through gully was palmed towards the heavens by Paul Scaling and caught on the rebound by Steve Crowder at cover. His partner Hamid Khan made 58no and Dave Greenlay 28no.

Clifton Alliance benefitted from a fine all-round showing from Richard Musgrave in their seven-wicket triumph at Pickering.

Home batsmen Mark Shepherd 68, Colin Frank 30 and Sean Stuchbery 24no ensured a reasonable total as the hosts made 170-9 despite Musgrave's 3-17. The Clifton man then hit 70 in reply with good support coming from Lorenzo Ingram 34 and Rob Taylor 27.

The game at Woodhouse was a 33-over affair which saw visiting Acomb slump to 48-8 as Ahley Quinn utilised the damp conditions to claim 5-23. Matt Dickinson with 20 and Dave Sykes with an unbeaten 19 engineered a modicum of respectability which saw Acomb reach 97-9.

The hosts then suffered as Dave Sykes grabbed 6-23 and Andy Sykes 3-27. Jon Bean made 29 but wicket-keeper Richard Sykes held on to four catches to help hasten Grange's demise to 75 all out.

Updated: 10:19 Monday, May 10, 2004