Osbaldwick have leapt to the top of the second division of the Hunters Estate Agent York & District Senior Indoor Cricket League after winning all their three games in the latest round of fixtures.

Two victories for Stillington has helped them move into second place.

Stillington's John Carr was the star of the day with innings of 42 not out and two unbeaten scores of 26 to give him an undefeated total of 96 runs.

In addition, the Stillington all-rounder's 3-10, which demolished Selby for only 42, was the best bowling haul of the day.

Pickering's batsmen missed their way in the opening game when they fell two runs short of their target after mis-judging their run chase.

The Wilberfoss batsmen had also scored slowly in reaching 52-2 in six overs before Des Healey improved matters with 26 before they were all out for 98.

When his side batted, George Rounthwaite made 20 singles before reaching retirement with a six and Phil Aconley made 19, but their side were left needing 31 off the final two overs. Some 15 runs came off the 11th over but Pickering were unable to reach their target and lost by two runs as their innings closed at 96-3.

Wilberfoss' batsmen struggled against Osbaldwick for whom Brian Burton, Andy Rippon, Matt Dunne and Damian Aston each captured a wicket as they slipped to 34-4 in seven overs. Pete Edmondson (13) and Mike Stothard (24) added an air of respectability before both were run out.

Osbaldwick's innings followed an almost identical fashion as they also lost their first four batsmen for 34 by the seventh over. Fortunately the last pair then trumped their opposite numbers to gain a two-wicket win.

Mike Stothard had applied early pressure with a rare wicket maiden but the 11th over of the innings proved to be decisive as Brian Burton (20no) hit two sixes and four singles leaving Andy Rippon (11no) to claim a dramatic victory.

Philip Aconley made the day's highest score, an unbeaten 49 against Stillington. His efforts were aided by 26 extras as Pickering totalled 116-4 with Mark Hemingway taking 2-22.

Opener Jason Dale reached a retiring 28 and his partner John Carr also earned a return to the crease. Tim Hodgson 2-27 and Andrew Grayson 2-14 worked through the later order with the latter dismissing Dale who failed to add to his tally as Stillington lost three wickets in an over.

However, John Carr then proved to be the man of the moment as he reached an unbeaten 42 to gain a one-wicket win with one delivery to spare as he made the required nine off the final over.

Updated: 12:19 Wednesday, November 20, 2002