Third division leaders Heslington suffered a surprise first defeat of the season when they lost at home to lowly Pickering by six wickets after Andrew Hill hit 70.

Aussie Ryan Elliott made 74 and Mark James 32 for Heslington, who were dismissed for 150 by Andrew Grayson (4-50) and James Feaster (3-43).

Pickering lost an early wicket but were then put firmly in command as Hill combined with Kevin Wilson (47) in an 80-run second-wicket partnership.

League newcomers Hemingbrough are five points behind Heslington after sweeping to a ten-wicket victory over Hovingham.

Hovingham's Nick Elliott hit 50 off 52 balls, but perished one run later before Nigel Adams helped lift the score to 144 with an unbeaten 28. Paul Collins took 3-42 and Maqsood Akbar 3-51.

Akbar then played a stunning innings as he gave the Hovingham bowlers a severe mauling. The man from Bahawalpur raced to his half-century in just 37 deliveries and converted this into triple figures off just 78 balls. He had good support from Nathan Briggs, who made an unbeaten 29 as he and his dominanat partner, who finished unbeaten on 108, reached their target without loss.

Bottom-placed Bubwith gained valuable points when a good batting display earned them an advantage draw over Clifton Alliance.

Early Bubwith runs were provided by Neil Readman (26) and Gary Moore (65) while Edward Smith weighed in with a valuable unbeaten 70 to steer Bubwith to 211-9. Alex Renton bowled a good 15 overs spell to take 5-78.

Clifton's batsmen also found the re-alligned Bubwith pitch to their liking as they responded with 200-8 through John Myers (24), Simon Corley (26), Rich Walton (39) and Richard Hunter (26no). Charlie Cameron took 3-52 to keep his side marginally out front.

Neil Armstrong, who topped the old first division bowling averages back in 1984, recaptured some of his form to record his best figures since his recent return to York.

The Heworth man claimed 5-59 as New Earswick were bowled out for 177 but then saw his side crash to 102 all out.

Andrew James led the way for Earswick with 72 while Andy Freeman (36) and Andy Routledge (28) also scored well.

In Heworth's unsuccessful reply, Joe Johnson made 36 but the honours went to Freeman (4-30) and Paul Stimpson (4-33).

Woodhouse Grange kept in contention with an easy victory at the expense of Bolton Percy, who were dismissed for 121 by a combination of youth and experience.

Percy's Dave White made 35 but teenage spinner Andrew Bilton added to his mounting wicket tally with 4-26 and the dependable Peter Nolton took 4-53.

Grange lost Howard Johnson for 26, but were taken to an eight-wicket win by James Rudd, who made 56 not out.

Yapham moved away from the bottom when they beat Civil Service by 53 runs.

Yapham were in trouble at 58-6 but staged a fine recovery as Tim Lazenby hit 76, Jonathan Flint 34 and Ben Reece 31 as 99 more runs were added for the loss of just one further wicket.

Service's Tim Jarvis suffered a fractured thumb while team-mates Simon Brown (26) and James Chisholm (30) made reasonable contributions. Despite their efforts, Service were bowled out inside 34 overs for 104 by Trevor Walker, who took 6-43.

Updated: 11:16 Monday, June 16, 2003