Non-League team Acomb 'B' provided a major upset in the Hunters The Estate Agent York and District Indoor Cricket League Knock-Out Trophy.

The Acomb 'B' ranks beat reigning league champions Sheriff Hutton Bridge by 14 runs to book an unexpected semi-final place. In the first round, the Bridge had hit one of the highest totals ever in the competition when they made 169-1 against fellow first division side Stamford Bridge.

Nick Scaling recorded the third highest individual score of 63 not out but, despite Scaling's 49, Bridge fell short of Acomb's 142-4 as the 20-run handicap proved decisive.

The Sheriff side won the solitary first division league game when they beat Clifton Alliance 'A' by 33 runs with Steve Crowder making 48 and Duncan Snell taking 3 for 30 to complete the first half of the season.

The one remaining second division game was won by Rowntrees 'B', who had a 41-run advantage over bottom-placed Pickering.

The Crowder brothers continued their rich vein of runs when Sheriff Hutton Bridge batted first against Clifton Alliance 'A' in the final first division game of the first half of the season.

Steve Crowder moved with ease to the retirement mark of 25 but saw Mike Smith fall for 14 as Mick Pickering passed the 50 catches' milestone. Peter Crowder also reached 25 but failed to add to his score when he returned. But Steve progressed to 48 before falling to Pickering off the final delivery, missing the opportunity to become the first player to hit ten half-centuries in the competition. The Clifton side could not match the Bridge score of 133 although opener Dave Russell made 25 before falling to Duncan Snell (3 for 30). Late order runs from Mick Pickering 19 and Alex Wray 15 added an air of respectability but Mike Smith (2-25) ended Clifton's response at 100 all out.

League newcomers Pickering continued to struggle when they met Rowntrees 'B' in division two and suffered their fifth defeat when losing by 41 runs.

Pickering's cause was not helped when they fielded only five men and Rowntrees' skipper Albert Pattison exploited the gaps as he made an unbeaten 35. Keith Burrows added 19 and Tony Thomson 16, while Paul Harrison (13no) helped to add 18 off the final over to lift the total to 117-4. Pickering slipped to 34-3 in five overs as Keith Burrows claimed 2-28. R W Aconley produced a solo performance which saw him reach 40 before he was caught by Harrison off Kev Palmer as Pickering's innings ended at 76.

The opening series of cup games saw Acomb 'B' emerge as the first semi-finalists after firstly beating Pickering and then pulling off a fine victory over Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

In the first game SHB's batsmen prospered against old rivals Stamford Bridge and a massive 169-1 was reached with Nick Scaling making the third highest score in the cup competition when he reached 63no. When Stamford replied only Ian Fraser (20) made an appreciable contribution as Scaling and Graham Oxley shared the wickets. Oxley had 3 for 35 but Scaling's return of 3 for 20 created history as he became the first player to hit a half-century and take three wickets in a cup match. Stamford were eventually dismissed for 88.

Pickering batted first against Acomb 'B' who were making their first indoor league appearance. Pickering skipper Andrew Grayson top scored with 29 as the second division side reached 105-5. Acomb's reply was led by Rob Littlewood who made 28no and Andy Ingle who was unbeaten with 25. The non-league side posted a three-wicket win as they hit 107-3.

Boosted by their debut success, the Acomb batsmen showed good form as they built on the 20-run handicap start against champions Sheriff Hutton Bridge. Littlewood again showed good form as he made an unbeaten 35. Steve Buckton (28no) and Paul Chafer (24) took Acomb to an extremely useful 142-4. Scaling once more batted impressively before being dismissed for 49. Skipper Steve Crowder weighed in with 31 but, in the end, the handicap start just tipped the scales as SHB were bowled out for 128.

The cup competition continues next Saturday at Tadcaster leisure Centre with four first round ties and one second round game scheduled.

Updated: 12:05 Wednesday, January 09, 2002