CHAMPIONS and red-hot favourites Dunnington were frustrated by Woodhouse Grange as they began the defence of their Hunters The Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League premier division title.

They were unable to force a win despite amassing a first innings total of 250-8.

Five batsmen showed early season form with Collis King making the biggest impression as he cracked three sixes and five fours in a 25-ball score of 55 made in just 36 minutes. Fellow West Indian Harwood Williams added 53 and Hamed Khan 48.

Simon Kellett supported with 30 while former Thirsk skipper Dave Greenlay made 25 in his first outing for the Common Road side. Ashley Wuinn had the best figures for Grange with 4-20 and Steve Burdett stuck to his task to claim 3-84.

When Woodhouse batted, Steve Precious took 4-33 but Jonathan Bean batted well and had reached 85 not out when rain called a halt with Grange on 129-4 in 37 overs.

Heworth's batsmen failed to impress at Acomb where they were dismissed for 124 in 47 overs by Dave Sykes, who had 4-42, and Sanjaya Rodrigo, who claimed 4-43.

In response, Mohammed Fayyaz grabbed 5-56 but Paul Hemmingway withstood the attack to make 38no and, with Martin Dickinson making 30, Acomb were able to move to a winning 125-6.

Clifton Alliance's batsmen took a comfortable tea after John Hunter (64), Richard Musgrave (68) and Luke Wells (48) had taken them to 228-6 against Sessay. The newly promoted side then took up the challenge as Matt Till led the way with 88. Wells grabbed 3-51 but Steve Frare helped the Hambleton side's cause with 29 before Chris Till made an unbeaten 32 to steer Sessay to a fine four-wicket win with an over to spare.

Osbaldwick got their season off to a satisfactory start when they had by far the better of a draw with Easingwold, who found themselves hanging on for survival at 131-8 after the home side had made 245-8.

Aussie Damon Aston was marginally top scorer for Osbaldwick with 58 but was pressed by Simon Levison, who made 56. Other valuable contributions came from Ian Wilson with 43 and skipper Steve Young, who chipped in with 26. Paul Skilbeck was 'Wold's best bowler with 3-53.

When Easingwold batted, Paul Redshaw made 29 and Gavin Rees 26 but Chris Oldfield's 4-35 proved to be a real threat.

Despite losing the services of chief runscorer Stuart Coleman, who has moved to the Tickhill club, Carlton Towers made a useful 224-7 as they batted first in their premier debut game at Pickering.

Aussie Sam McNally made an encouraging start with 66 while Paul Wright (31) and Lee Hanson (39) paved the way for a handy unbeaten 52 from Jamie Pocklington as Towers made 224-7. Mark Shepherd bowled well for the Pikes to take 4-69 while Queenslander Sean Stuchbery gave support with 3-78.

The experience of Chris Nicholls then prevailed as Pickering mounted a successful reply despite 4-55 by Kevin Waites. Nicholls completed a fine hundred as he and Paul Witty (22) added 109 for the second wicket and went on to make an unbeaten 132 off only 137 deliveries to steer Pickering to a four-wicket victory.

There was a debut century for Thirsk's latest overseas man as Garry Kelsoc opened with exactly 100 not out against Beverley Town. Other runs came from John Harper (32) and teenager John Cook, who made 26no as Thirsk did well despite being shorn of much of their top order. Beverley just managed to stave off defeat at 129-9.

Updated: 09:58 Monday, April 28, 2003