CLIFTON Alliance are strong favourites to take the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League first division crown after winning their top-of-the-table clash at Sheriff Hutton Bridge and benefitting from a concession by struggling Dringhouses.

In division two, Thirsk had two convincing wins to confirm their promotion, seeing off a persistent challenge from Sheriff

Hutton.

Clifton won the toss in their showdown at Sheriff Hutton Bridge and batted first, making 136-4 with Liam Hope-Shackley hitting 58. Support came from John Gilham (22) and Ryan Partington (21 not out).

SHB replied with 120-8, Joe Kilvington taking 2-14, Sam Grant 2-13 and Paul Walton 3-13, including a triple wicket

maiden.

SHB won 24 hours later at Sessay to keep their receding hopes alive while ending their hosts' title challenge.

Ben Harrison (3-25) took the first three Sessay wickets to fall, including that of Jacob Spencer for 44, and with Ryan Chapman claiming 2-24, the hosts closed on 120-7.

Bridge hit 40 from the first five overs of the reply, and Mark Fisher (32) and Dulash Udayanga (51) kept them on track. Nav Kavikara (2-23) and Chris Starr (3-27) gave Sessay some hope but Bridge won at 121-6 with more than two overs in hand.

In a mid-table clash, Helperby, made 134-4 at home to Newburgh, largely through S Baker (61) and Dan Marston (57). Luke Ramsay took 2-27. Tommy Banks (74no) led Newburgh to victory at 138-5, despite L Holmes' 2-30.

Thirsk’s march to the division two title saw them beat Crayke and Alne.

They limped to 25-3 at Crayke but recovered to finish on 132-4, thanks to John Goode (42no), plus Dan Magee (23) and James Wilkinson (24).

Crayke were restricted to 88-7 by Wilkinson (2-12) and J Hogg (3-19).

Thirsk then posted 160-5 against Alne, via Josh Neilson (39no), James Trueman (38) and Tom Scott (29), W Kinnersley returning 4-34 from five overs.

Wilkinson (5-7) and Josh Howes (3-9) then ran amok to reduce Alne to 19-9, before D Todd's (25no) spirited late boost saw the visitors reach 52 all out.

Sheriff Hutton, breathing down Thirsk’s necks all season, they picked up maximum points from their latest two fixtures.

They benefitted from a concession by Rowntrees & Huntington, then beat visiting Crayke by 37 runs.

Joe Schofield (42) and Jag Gopalappa (43) took them to 129-3, A Lynam returning 2-14. P Barton responded with 22 but J Rushworth (4-22) and Richard Ainley (3-8) saw Crayke close on 92-9.

Raskelf’s form dipped with two defeats. They lost by one run at Alne as they just failed to chase down 124-5. A Snowball made 33 and Toby Baker 30, but C Spence (3-15) and R Allison (2-12) saw the visitors all out for 123.

Alne’s total had included 50 retired from H Stevens and 34 from C Spence.

Raskelf then fell to Rowntrees & Huntington. R&H were all out for 108, A Baker taking 2-10 and T Baker 3-25, but Dom Fry (5-12) skittled Raskelf for 42.