THIRSK are the unexpected early leaders in the Hunters York and District Senior League following their six-wicket victory over arch rivals Easingwold.

Only two of the six games in the division were completed as three matches were abandoned during the second innings and one game, that at Sessay, not started leaving defending champions Dunnington as somewhat frustrated bystanders.

Easingwold's strong rivalries were renewed with the visit of Thirsk.

The home side batted first but made hard work of building a score against tight bowling with teenager Richard Bentley emerging with the best figures of 3-35.

Easingwold's two effective batsmen were Jonathan Marwood (30) and Dan Copeland (36) but their comrades in arms made little contribution to a below-par total of 121-9.

Thirsk's successful reply was led by Aussie Garry Kelson, who followed his century last week with 52, while John Harper chipped in with an unbeaten 32

In the other match completed, Beverley triumphed by two wickets at the expense of Osbaldwick.

Batting first, Osbaldwick were taken to their total of 200-7 by Richie Carew, who made 76 not out, and Damon Aston, who weighed in with 49. Barry Sayer with 3-48 and Mark Tissiman who took 3-46 were the pick of the home bowlers.

The hosts then benefited from a fine knock by former Thirsk opener Neil Stephenson, who hit 102 on his debut, but Dave Thompson worked hard for the visitors to capture 5-86 while Shaun White gave support with 3-50. Nevertheless their combined efforts failed to prevent the east Riding side reaching a winning 201-8.

It was somewhat ironic that the ground at Sessay should be waterlogged after the extended period of dry weather in the run-up to the season and, with no play possible, league champions Dunnington suffered at the hands of the weather for the second successive week.

Carlton Towers reached a first innings total of 138-7 against Acomb thanks to Sam McNally's 37 and 44 from Jamie Pocklington.

Skipper Dave Sykes claimed 4-55 and his brother Richard responded with 32. However, with Acomb handily placed at 64-2, rain ended the proceedings.

A promised good finish at Elm Park way was also guillotined by the weather after 32.4 overs of the second innings when Pickering had reached 99-4 in response to Heworth's 155-9.

Skipper Paul Mosey top scored for the hosts with 38 while Matthew Atkinson made 33 in support. Pickering's bowling hero was Craig Aconley whose 25 over stint earned him 5-42.

Runs flowed freely at Woodhouse Grange where Clifton opener Dave Taylor played another of his spectacular innings.

Taylor pulverized the home attack as he hit a dozen fours and five sixes. His 106 off an identical number of balls was his sixth premier division ton and he shared an opening stand of 169 in 30 overs with Aussie Luke Wells.

After the pair were split, Steve Burdett took 3-53 and Marcus Smith 4-41 as Clifton lost seven wickets for only 66 runs. Skipper Duncan Naylor boldly decided to declare at 237-7 but his enterprise came to nought as the rain called a halt after Woodhouse had slowly moved to 16-1 in ten overs.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge are one of only five teams in the entire league to win both their first two games and now head division one after thoroughly outgunning Pocklington.

Pock's batsmen had no answer to the gentle pace of Paul Oldfield (4-17) and teenage spinner Dan snowball (4-22) helped dismiss the visitors for just 72.

Bridge lost Mike Smith for 33 but skipper Oldfield continued his involvement with an unbeaten 28 as the Bridge won by nine wickets.

The two promoted sides, Stamford Bridge and Tadcaster Magnet both fared badly as they suffered heavy away defeats. Stamford's all East Riding affair at Driffield saw them dismissed for 110 as George Drury captured 5-51 with the only resistance coming from Andy Milner who was run out when two short of his 50.

Paul Sellars got Driffield off to a sound start with 36 before leaving Richard Beckett (27no) and Chris Chapman (32no) to complete an eight-wicket triumph.

Visiting Helmsley, Tadcaster Magnet posted a reasonable 162 thanks to Paul Clark (46) and Kiwi Sean Cook (46) as Paul Wilkie captured 3-25 for Duncombe Park.

But Mark Wilkie combined with Brian Leckenby in a scintillating opening stand of 146 which threatened to take the hosts to a quickfire ten-wicket win. Wilkie had hit three sixes and ten fours when he fell for 75. This proved to be the only attractive moment for Magnet as Park romped to a nine-wicket win with Leckenby cracking six sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten 87.

York II were almost certainly denied victory at Crayke by the rain which intervened when the home side were tottering on the brink at 127-9.

York had made 178-7 before the interval through Will Warne (49) and recent recruit M Davies (46).

Long time Sessay player Richard Wentworth took 3-49 on his debut for the Villagers but then saw his batting colleagues struggle as Sean Hunter took 5-22. Paul Hutchinson with 25 was the only Crayke batsman to show.

Goole Town stalwart Steve Foster made 56 as his side batted to 147-8 against Whitkirk, for whom Matthew Wright took 4-49 and West Indian Harlon Haye 3-48.

The game was evenly poised with Whitkirk's reply having reached 79-3 when rain called a halt after 22 overs.

Ripon were unable to match Hull Zingari's 174-6, with the citizens having to be content with a draw at 143-7.

Once again teenager Anthony Knowles starred for Zingari with 33 runs and 3-40. Fellow youngster Nick Biggs and Adam Boasman were both unbeaten on 35 despite another 24 over stint from veteran Paul Mason (3-75) and 3-41 from Chris Hazzard.

When Ripon replied, Howard Wooding hit 44 and Adam Frost 27 as Knowles caused problems but the experienced Peter Squires then guided his side to asafety at 143-7 with an unbeaten 32.

Updated: 10:53 Monday, May 05, 2003