Collis King's 25th century in the Hunters York and District Senior Cricket League enabled Dunnington to gain the better of a draw with one of their main rivals, Easingwold, and move to the top of the premier division.

They leapfrogged former leaders Heworth, who had the worst of a draw in their derby with Osbaldwick and are now eight points adrift of the leaders.

Thirsk eased off the bottom of the table thanks to the better of a draw with Pocklington after Dave Greenlay's ton had helped them reach an impressive 296-5.

Pickering and Sheriff Hutton Bridge now jointly occupy bottom spot, the latter after coming a cropper to Woodhouse Grange's Pakis- tani, Kashif Raza, who followed up an unbeaten half-century with six wickets including a hat-trick.

Reigning champions Dunnington moved to the top for the first time this season when they got the upper hand over Easingwold, who got nowhere near their opponents' 205-9 and had to be happy with a draw at 156-8.

After losing his opening partner early, Simon Kellett played a passive role in a second-wicket stand of 100 with King before falling for 29.

Skipper King went on to complete his ton, moving to 123 as he recorded his second century of the season.

Dan Copeland came out with some credit for the visitors by taking 3-56 but could not prevent Dunnington gaining full batting points. Paul Skilbeck then led 'Wold's reply with 46 but 4-39 from Simon Cook left them second best.

Former leaders Heworth lost pole position when they had to hang on for a draw against Osbaldwick.

Osso were another team to bag five batting points when they made 213-6. Leading batsman was former Brooklands player Mark Thompson, who hit 62, but he had good support from Steve Jackson (34), Richie Carew (43) and Dave Cooper (35), while Shahid Khan captured 3-64.

Dave Simpson got Heworth's reply underway with 42 but Damian Aston with 4-65 and Andy Hall with 3-18 caused problems and it was left to Paul Mosey to salvage a draw with an important 58 not out.

Woodhouse Grange's Kashif Raza turned in a superb performance at Sheriff Hutton Bridge to earn his side an 86-run victory in a game shortened to 40 overs.

Both Grange openers were caught by 'keeper Paul Scaling and, although ex-Ripon player Neil Jackson made an early 27, Grange lost four wickets for 59. However, skipper Mike Burdett was then joined by Raza and the pair rattled 146 runs for the fifth wicket.

Burdett was caught by Duncan Snell off Mike Smith for 82 but Raza stayed unbeaten on 72 when Wood-house's innings closed on 213-5.

With a number of senior players unavailable, Sheriff Hutton Bridge's batting was unable to withstand Raza'a assault and he worked his way through the innings to earn figures of 6-65 in 18 overs.

He finished the match in style by removing Steve Glaves, who had helped add 31 for the eighth wicket, Danny Snowball and Adam Fisher with successive deliveries, completing his hat-trick by smashing a stump as the Bridge were dismissed for 127.

After having had problems with their outfield, Beverley played their first game on their number one pitch and emerged with a satisfactory draw against Pickering.

Home skipper Andy Burton hit 65, while 48 from Jamie Mitchell coupled with Graham Taylor's 25 helped Town reach 198-5.

Shaun Lightowler, who captured eight wickets the previous week, added 3-61 to his mounting tally but, despite his efforts, Pickering moved to a comfortable draw as Chris Nicholls (29), Mark Shepherd (49), Chris Hugill (35) and Craig Aconley (25) steered them to 150-5.

Acomb crossed the Ouse to meet Clifton Alliance in a game reduced to 43 overs.

Early Alliance runs came from Dave Taylor (36) and Simon Dwyer added 25. Acomb skipper Dave Sykes plugged away for 22 overs to gain 5-93 but Syd Corley compiled a patient 43 to help Clifton to 185-8.

Acomb's batting then caved in to 74 all out as Alliance skipper Duncan Naylor rotated his bowlers in bemusing fashion.

James Postill was the leading wicket taker with 3-21 but spinners John Hunter, who took 2-17 in ten overs, and Mick Pickering, who had 2-11 in seven, also played their part in the Acomb downfall.

After their poor start to the season, Thirsk finally got the upper hand as they set Pocklington a near impossible target of 297 to win.

With Thirsk's ground being unavailable due to a race meeting, Pocklington agreed to host the fixture with the clash between the two clubs' second elevens being switched to Pock's number two pitch.

After losing an early wicket, Thirsk prospered as skipper Darren Wyrill (76) and Keogan Luiters (70) posted a second-wicket stand of 147. This paved the way for Dave Greenlay to hit an unbeaten 106 as Thirsk moved to 296-5.

Pocklington's batsmen also found the strip to their liking, with Ian Camwell making 55, Rod Hinch 44, Andy Inns 25 and Nathan Schultz an unbeaten 29, and the surrogate hosts got a draw at 190-7. Andrew Chandler took 3-37 for Thirsk.

Updated: 11:58 Monday, May 20, 2002