SHERIFF Hutton Bridge have emerged as favourites to take the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League title after beating Thirsk in the top-of-the-table encounter.

Easingwold also won to remain a point behind Bridge, with Thirsk another point in arrears.

Bridge batted first when they took on Thirsk and posted a challenging 158-2 with Paul Scaling making 34, Steve Crowder 36no and Nick Scaling 67no.

When Thirsk replied, Dean Bramley made 32 and Andrew Chandler 42no, but the support needed to mount a serious challenge was lacking and the innings fell away to 120 all out, Nick Scaling taking 2-17 and Graham Oxley 2-34.

Easingwold maintained their challenge with an eight-wicket win over neighbours Crayke.

Simon Lewis (30) and Sam Armitage (23) were Crayke's top scorers as they reached 108-5, Dan Copeland (3-20) having the best return for Easingwold who cruised to victory at 109-2 on the back of a fine unbroken partnership between Tommy Langstaff (33no) and Dan Copeland (44no).

Alne won the relegation encounter when they visited Stillington. Eddie Myers made 60 as Alne reached 118-5.

S Dissanayake (52) and Kevin Borwell (36) then seemed to be taking Stillington to victory but the innings fell away and they closed on 113-8.

Newburgh improved their chances of avoiding the drop when they won at Sessay.

Roger Frare made 37 on his debut for Newburgh, and the long-serving Tony Fox added 25 as Newburgh closed on 95-7, Ian Watkinson taking 3-21 and Chris Padgett 2-17.

Sessay started well enough when Tommy Kay made 28, but Jason Sargent bowled a match-winning spell to take 5-13 and Sessay closed short on 80-8.

Rowntree took the spoils in the big game in division two with victory at Sheriff Hutton.

Dominic Atkinson made 28 and R Baker 46 as they totalled 117-4, then they restricted the hosts to 109-4 with R Hewitt taking 2-26. Hugh Faith (35) and Eddie Taylor (29) were Sheriff's most productive batsmen.

Raskelf had a fine victory when they overcame visitors Huby. Colin Piercy made 35no and Tom Piercy 23 as Huby made 129-8.

Highlight for Raskelf was 15-year-old Danny Seaton claiming 4-22, which included a hat-trick.

Raskelf then replied with 130-7, Julian Knowles making 22, Danny Seaton 20 and Trevor Reynolds 27no.

Raskelf lost a rearranged fixture at Clifton Alliance whose Ross Hardy (32) and Julian Knowles (23) made runs as Raskelf reached 112-5, S Greaves taking 3-14 for Alliance.

Clifton replied with 116-2, John Myers dominating with an unbeaten 77 while Alan Barton supported with 21no.

Alliance then won their second match of the week when they beat Helperby. L Greaves made 74 as Alliance reached 111-5, then J Thornton's spell of 4-6 restricted Helperby to 90-8.

Updated: 09:40 Wednesday, July 23, 2003