CLIFTON Alliance are the 2018 Pilmoor Evening Cricket League champions, after taking the points they needed from their final fixture with a crushing victory over Newburgh.

The 2017 champs Sheriff Hutton Bridge had hoped for a Clifton slip-up on the final night but have to settle for runners-up spot, while at the bottom Dringhouses went down after a relegation decider at Easingwold.

Clifton posted a massive 220-1 against Newburgh, Scott Hopkinson cracking an unbeaten 118 and Paul Walton 66.

Newburgh limped to 66-7 in reply, Josh Sargent top-scoring with 34, with Jake Atkinson returning 3-2 as Alliance took the title for the first time in their 25th season in the league.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge won by six wickets at Helperby.

Dan Marston made 49 as Helperby reached 94-5, Joe Judge being the outstanding Bridge bowler with 4-11.

SHB's reply was in some difficulty before a partnership between L Smith (37 not out) and Rob Stevens (32no) saw them home.

The division’s bottom two sides met at Easingwold and it was the hosts who came out on top.

A young Dringhouses side reached 87-5 with Will Hollins making 48 not out, but Easingwold took the points at 91-2 with Tommy Langstaff making 25 and Max Cosgrove 26 not out.

The win lifted Easingwold off bottom spot and relegated Dringhouses - the position being decided by the league’s 'rule 5' formula, which came into effect with the two sides level on points and number of wins.

Second division champions Thirsk signed off in style with victory over Rowntrees & Huntington, who again gamely completed the season despite not having a home ground available.

Only D Bewes (23) put up any resistance as R&H were bowled out for 49 with Tom Spence (4-17) the outstanding Thirsk bowler. Thirsk raced to an eight-wicket win in only five overs, Jack Tart making 24.

Second-placed Sheriff Hutton’s consistent season concluded with another win, this time at Raskelf, whose form dipped in the latter stages of the season.

Richard Brown (22) top scored as Raskelf struggled to 63-7, before Josh Moate (39) led Sheriff to 67-2.

Alne were all out for 96 when they entertained Crayke. W Bell (31) and R Allinson (21) were the principal contributors, while George Pears (4-28) and A Lynas (4-13) took the bowling honours. Crayke then batted consistently to take the points at 100-4.