Woodhouse Grange produced the shock result of the season when the York Senior Indoor Cricket League programme resumed after the Christmas break.

The league's newcomers pulled off a four-wicket victory to defeat champions and favourites Acomb in the first round of the League Cup.

However, they then suffered a 36-run defeat in the second round when Clifton Alliance proved too strong.

Clifton's victory has earned them a semi-final tie against second division Thirsk while the other semi will be between Rowntrees 'A' and Stillington.

The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, March 3, one week later than the original scheduled date.

In the only league game of the day, Woodhouse Grange dismissed Osbaldwick for 69 and reached their target without loss in seven overs.

Matt Dunne made 34 for Osbaldwick, whose cause was not helped by three run-outs.

Woodhouse - red hot favourites to take the second division title in their first season in the league - went straight into their cup game with Acomb and stunned the first division leaders.

Richard Sykes made 42 of Acomb's 89-5 as Paul Grewer claimed 2-13 and Ashley Quinn and Paul Townsley bowled economically.

Andy Ingle made 21no which helped Acomb to 89-5.

With a handicap start of 20 runs, Woodhouse's target was 70 and Steve Thompson (21no) and Simon Dwyer (24) set them on their way.

Dave Sykes conceded only 15 runs from his three overs but Woodhouse reached their target for the loss of two wickets.

Woodhouse's hopes of repeating their giant-killing act failed to materialise against Clifton Alliance in the quarter-finals.

Alliance openers Paul Thorpe (26no) and Dave Russell (27no) set up a big score before Richard Musgrove's unbeaten 23 enabled Alliance to add 41 in the last four overs to post a total of 142-2.

Woodhouse collapsed dramatically as four men were run out and they were dismissed inside nine overs for just 68 leaving them losers by 36 runs after the handicap adjustment.

Two other division two sides met in the last 16 of the cup as five-man Osbaldwick lost to Bolton Percy.

Matt Dunne made 32 but the fifth wicket fell with three balls unused as Osbaldwick totalled 88. Bolton openers Nick Lister (28no) and Colin Thacker 25no exploited the fielding gaps and a four-wicket victory was gained with four overs to spare.

Bolton were to lose out in the quarter-finals, however, as Stillington became the second team from division two to qualify for the semis with a six-wicket win.

John Carr equalised the second best bowling performance in the cup's three-year history when he took three for 14 as Bolton were dismissed for 62. This total would have been far less but for Ian Russell's 30 .

Stillington's Shaminda Dissanayake made an unbeaten 26 before retiring while fellow opener Jason Dale was unbeaten with 22 when victory came in the eighth over.

Updated: 11:49 Wednesday, January 10, 2001