CARLTON Towers' batsmen had a run banquet as they thumped a weakened Stillington side by 229 runs in division one.

Paul Wright made his first century for Towers while sharing in two century partnerships as he made 105 not out.

His opening partner Kashif Siddique Khan contributed 63, while Stuart Coleman cracked 94 out of the 161-run second-wicket partnership to set Carlton towards their final score of 302 for 2.

When Stillington batted, they were mesmerised by 16-year-old spinner Chris Pitts who claimed 5 for 10. Aussie Mark Maddock made 26 but Phil Day took 3 for 29 as Stillington were bowled out for 73 in the 23rd over.

Ripon made a good start in their bid to make a speedy return to the top-flight when they successfully chased a Dringhouses total of 211 for 7 to win by seven wickets.

A good track and fast outfield saw the runs flow as Mark Fenton made 71, Mick Cannings 60 and John Crowe 32 for the home team.

Ripon's batsmen then responded in kind with Chris Warters making an unbeaten 84, Guy Blackburn 51 and Howard Wooding 44.

Goole Town's return to the first division ended in defeat when Driffield notched up a three-wicket advantage.

Steve Foster top scored with 59 for Goole who made 173 for 7 as Nigel Foster (32) and Mark Shipp (30) each played cameo innings.

Driffield's batting hero was Dave Williamson who played a match-winning knock but was denied a century when he was dismissed for 99. P Sellar supported with 26 as Driffield moved to 179 for 7.

Second division champions Hull Zingari just failed to gain a victory on their first division debut when their reply to Crayke's 173 for 7 fell one run short.

Crayke's runs came from a quartet of batsmen with skipper Jonathon Wright making 46, Mick Hutchinson 31, Dave Thomas 25 and Andy Gilleard 30 not out.

In reply, Mark Richardson made 62 while Ian Bucnall was unbeaten with 51 when they sands of time expired with Zingari trapped on 172 for six..

Whitkirk started life in division one after losing their premier status with the better of a draw against Duncombe Park.

The Leeds side made 177 for 9 with Neil Edgecock scoring 28 and Grant Galloway 30 as Paul Wilkie claimed 4 for 52 and Jon Lewis 3 for 60.

In reply, Peter Humpleby made 34 and Mark Mulvihill 28 not out but Matt O'Brien's 4 for 33 ensured that the Park made their long return journey to Helmsley with minimal reward from their draw after closing on 113 for 8.

Sessay's Aussie Steven Frare (4 for 36) bowled his side to a 24-run victory over York.

Sessay had earlier made 188 for 4 through Nick Harrison (70), John Flintoff (52) and Tom Kay (35no).

Andrew Kay (37) and John Hamlyn (35) responded but could not prevent their team being dismissed for 164.

Updated: 14:17 Monday, April 29, 2002