TEEANAGER Richard Coverdale may have finished on the losing side, but the Sheriff Hutton Bridge prospect will never forget the clash against premier division high-fliers Dunnington.

In the bid to halt a Dunnington run-spree the 16-year-old Coverdale claimed former West Indian Test big-hitter Collis King as his first ever premier division scalp.

However, by then Dunnington were well on their way to posting an unassailable tally against a weakened Sheriff Hutton Bridge attack.

They rattled up 267-2 before declaring in somewhat strange circumstances in the midst of the penultimate over when the Bridge found themselves short of a ball.

Openers Simon Kellett and Harwood Williams moved comfortably to 129 before the latter was caught and bowled by Danny Snowball after hitting ten boundaries in making 68. After the dram prize for Coverdale ex-Yorkshire ace Kellett moved to his 14th league century and then launched a savage attack which saw him race from 100 to 151 off just 26 deliveries culminating in two sixes and a four off three deliveries. Unfortunately, in doing so the fielding side's last three balls disappeared into the neighbouring meadow and Kellett opted to declare at 267-2 with nine balls still remaining rather than await recovery.

In doing so, he denied himself the chance of overhauling the highest innings in the premier division, Brian Leckenby's 153no, and the highest innings so far this season, Mohammed Hafeez's 157 for Stillington a week earlier. Kellett's awesome knock included 17 fours and four sixes.

When 'Bridge started their reply, Paul Scaling square cut the first delivery of the innings for four but Joe Grant soon made his mark and claimed 6 for 47 as the visitors fell to 87 all out.

Second placed Clifton Alliance also gained full batting points in beating Ripon but slipped three points further behind the leaders as they were unable to bowl Ripon out.

Peter Squires called on his vast experience to make 83 and, with Guy Blackburn adding an unbeaten 65, Ripon were able to make a challenging 213-5.

Clifton's overseas Darren Reeves spearheaded his side's reply with 95 while other good performances came from Dave Taylor (46) and Darren Barton (31) before Dave Russell produced another sweet cameo innings as he made 26no to steer Clifton in.

Acomb's Duminda Perera (65no) again produced the goods to help his side inflict a 71-run defeat on Osbaldwick.

Support came from Richard Sykes 28, Chris Simpson 38 and Joe Burton 31 as Acomb banked full batting points at 210-5.

While still unable to gain their first victory of the season, reigning champions Easingwold showed good resolution as they claimed 11 points in a draw at Heworth.

Andrew Dapson made 57 and Dave Simpson 44 as the hosts reached three figures in 18 overs. Then Graham Hayward 29, Chris Mead 35 and Guy Wilkinson 41 piled on the runs to take Heworth to 241-4. Damon Smith took 2 for 72.

Hayward followed with 3-45 and Mark Bell got among the wickets as he captured 3-44. However Paul Skilbeck made 68 and, with handy knocks from Paul Redshaw 22 and James Pringle 20, Easingwold were able to reach the 75 per cent mark to bank useful points at 189-8.

There was a real thriller at Thirsk where the home side recovered to defeat Woodhouse Grange by one wicket.

Steve Burdett was the only Woodhouse Grange batsman to make an appreciable score, making 41 in his side's total of 139 all out. Thirsk made a disastrous start losing four wickets for only 19 runs, then teetering at 85-8 before 15-year-old John Cook joined Matthew Cressley to see the hosts home in a nerve-jangling finish.