THE top two in division four came head to head at Sheriff Hutton where the home side relinquished the lead to Beverley Town who moved three points ahead by gaining much the better of a draw.

Beverley's innings started in unpromising fashion as they lost three wickets for only 22. Rob Todd and P Fleming then took the score to 83 before Fleming fell to Simon Thornton (4-79).

Todd was bowled by Richard Armitage on his way to match figures of 3-50 but Jim Bayes (38) and 16-year-old Phil Duboulay (40no), added 54 for the sixth wicket. Dave Fishwick then chipped in with 25 to hoist the total to 210 all out.

Brian Dale's 35 was the only decent score made by the top six batsmen as Sheriff slipped to 85-6.

Steve Marshall (24) and Chris Harrison (23) then added some stability and their efforts enabled the Castlemen to narrowly avoid defeat at 143-9.

Updated: 09:49 Monday, July 18, 2005