There was a close division four game at Carlton Towers where Sheriff Hutton Bridge almost pulled off a victory despite slipping to 72 for 8.

Veteran Steve Glaves had Carlton rocking with a 22-over spell which brought him 5 for 54 and only Denis Graves (34) and Martin Denby (27) were able to post reasonable scores in a home total of 116-7.

Vic Klays made 28 as Bridge enjoyed a 44 run opening stand but Trevor Boddye then caused havoc as Bridge collapsed to 72 for 8. The 56-year-old claimed 5 for 24 but could not prevent Sheriff's ninth wicket pair adding 26. However the task of getting 17 off the final three overs proved to be impracticable and the innings ended at 107 for 9 with honours shared.

Peter Cannings made 37 and Guy McLean 39 when Dringhouses scored 140 for 7 against Yapham for whom Angus Scott had 3 for 46. Dick Wright then made 40 and John Flint 63 as Yapham maintained pressure on leaders Huby with a six-wicket victory.

Huby were denied their fourth win when Thirsk's Oliver Grant hit his first half-century in the league, eventually falling for 80. Huby's Tom Piercy hit 65 and Darren Howell 50 as they helped their side make 190 for 9 despite Mark Wainwright's 3 for 38 and Mike Almond's 3 for 21.

Piercy continued with 3 for 34 but Grant's innings ensured a draw for Thirsk who reached 133 for 8.

The first five weeks of the season had failed to produce any century stands in the fourth division but the game at Dunnington rectified that when each innings featured a three figure partnership.

Batting first, Sheriff Hutton lost their first wicket without a run being scored but then Tony Hull and Ben Tompkins added 141 for the second wicket before the latter was stumped by John Fordham off Steve Whittaker for 51.

Whittaker, restored to fitness after missing most of last season through injury, made inroads into the Sheriff Hutton batting as he claimed 4 for 70 in 18 overs. Meanwhile Hull moved to three figures and had made 120 out of 215 when he was run out leaving his side to move to 226 for 6.

Dunnington openers Gary Andrew and Ian Burgess then also prospered on the Common Road wicket and they too were able to share a three figure stand as they moved to 101 before Hull bowled Burgess for 57.

Andrew, a Saturday century maker, had reached 79 when he fell to Stephen Thornton at 156 and two run outs threatened to jeopardise Dunnington's run chase.

However skipper Dave Wilson had his sights on victory and achieved his goal when he scored the seven runs needed for victory off the first two balls of the final over, remaining unbeaten with 47 as Dunnington won by four wickets with four balls to spare.

Both sides were bowled out at Huntington where the home side suffered a 23 run defeat after dismissing visiting Easingwold for 134.

Trevor Smith, who made 59, was the sole Easingwold batsman to shine as Wally Baynes captured 4-54 and Darren Willis 4 for 47. In reply, Len Watson made 29 and Dave Walton 26 but Ken Skilbeck rolled back the years to capture 5 for 23 as Huntington were bowled out for 111.

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, May 29, 2001