Sheriff Hutton Bridge, who narrowly avoided relegation from division one last season, began the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League season with a comfortable win at home to newly promoted Stillington.

The visitors batted first and reached 81-5, with Sean Speck making 44 and J Kay 28, while Sam MacBeth took 3-27 for Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Ian Clish (28) and Paul Scaling (42) then led Sheriff Hutton Bridge's winning reply of 82-2.

Thirsk took the points at Easingwold, whose Paul Skilbeck made 72, including seven sixes. Dan Copeland added an unbeaten 28 as Easingwold closed on 119-4.

Neil Laidlaw (2-20) and Stuart Christon (2-8) were Thirsk's successful bowlers.

Mark Wainwright then got Thirsk's reply underway with 30, and although Simon Burns claimed 2-21, Neil Laidlaw saw Thirsk home at 123-3 with an unbeaten 35.

Newburgh had a comfortable win when they entertained the other promoted side, Civil Service.

The visitors batted first and made 72-9, J Chisholm top scoring with 25. Jason Sargent (3-9), Tom Banks (3-18) and John Thornton (2 for 17) bowled tidy spells for Newburgh.

James Banks then led the home reply with an unbeaten 44 as Newburgh reached 73-3, L Walker (3-25) being the only Civil Service bowler to have any success.

Sessay took both points when Sheriff Hutton disappointingly failed to raise a side.

The league has two divisions of eight teams, each scheduled to play 14 matches over the next few months.

Newcomers pile up highest score

Pilmoor Evening Cricket League second division newcomers Acomb posted the highest score on the opening evening of the season.

Matt Dickinson (76) and Scott Nicholls (36) were their highest scorers as Acomb reached 163-4 at Clifton Alliance. Dale Sanders (2-16) had the best bowling return for Clifton.

Clifton's reply never threatened, and they closed on 105-7, Ally Wray making 22 and Alex Renton 39, while Andy Jacques (3-13) had the best figures for Acomb.

Raskelf had an early success when they took on Rowntree.

The experienced pair of Brian Bowes (30) and Albert Aurelius (39) were top scorers as Raskelf got to 116-3, M Ellison taking 2-23.

Rowntree's reply was led by J Patrick (29) and N Horner (22), but the innings faded away to 100 all out, with wickets falling regularly to Simon Webster (4-15), Danny Seaton (2-14) and 13-year-old Angus Taylor (2-17).

Huby took first innings against Crayke and made 81-5, Mike South scoring 24 and Hugh Shedden 25, while James Crabtree took 3-7.

Crayke's batsmen failed to get on top of the home bowlers and closed on 60-8, Ben Knowlson taking 2-18, Dan Smith 2-7 and Danny Rogers 2-8.

Alne, who were relegated from division one last season despite a late winning run, began their challenge for an immediate return to the top flight with victory at Helperby.

Chris Beaumont's 75 was largely responsible for their total of 122-5, Anthony Eden claiming 2-9 for Helperby.

Eden then top scored with 38 in Helperby's reply, but Alne kept the upper hand, with J Charlton taking 2-30, S Raper 2-6 and Ben Ryder 2-8 as Helperby's reply fell well short at 93-7.

Updated: 10:06 Wednesday, May 10, 2006