NICK Hardgrave (8-34) was the toast of Kings Mill Road as his eight wickets sent Driffield Town to the top of the Hunters York & District Senior League.

The spinner almost singlehandedly dismissed visitors Sheriff Hutton Bridge, who succumbed for 136 after Paul Oldfield (30) and his skipper Jack Hugill (34) had put on 63 for the opening wicket.

Nadeem Shefta picked up an early wicket for the visitors but by the time he picked up that of Chris Grey (34) the contest was already over Grey and Jack Riley (57) having advanced the total with a 76-run second wicket partnership, and the home side went on to record consecutive victories.

Folkton & Flixton relinquished top spot after they came out second best from a drawn game at home to Acomb that ended with the sides separated by just eight runs.

A century opening stand between Stuart Boyle (38) and William Wade (60) was brought to an end when Chris Mann (4-73) picked up the first of four wickets, which included both openers and also Joe Dale for 37.

Darcy O’Connor (46) provided a boost for the visitors before he was out just shy of a half-century the innings coming to a close on 259-7.

The home side reply got off to a disastrous start when James Tindall picked up three wickets in his opening three overs, but Harry Walmsley (82) and Matthew Nesfield (57) turned the innings around with a stand worth 89.

Tindall returned to the attack, dismissing Nesfield on his way to figures of 5-73, and Walmsley was the first of Joe Dale’s three wickets (3-65).

Chris Mann (27) and Jamie Nesfield (27) looked set to secure an unlikely victory with a ninth-wicket stand of 47, but then Mann was dismissed at the start of the final over and the chase fell just short.

York won on the opening day of the season, but have not managed to do so since, their latest defeat coming at home to Studley Royal.

Tom Spearman, already with two half-centuries this season made it to three figures with 116, more than half of which came in an opening partnership of 131 with Ben Robinson (59).

Andrew Fleming replied for the visitors with 110 and his innings proved crucial as they went on to win by two wickets, and a day which began with York in third and Studley Royal in sixth ended with the sides trading places.

Steve Piercy hit 96 for Easingwold after they had been sent in to bat at the Recreation Ground by Pickering, and there was also a half-century for Zac Wilson, while for the home side, Keiran Edmond picked up three wickets in a total of 245-8.

Piercy (3-32) completed a fine all-round performance with three wickets, his figures only bettered with the ball by team-mate Josh Sargeant (4-51).

The hosts made a reasonable attempt at chasing such a challenging total and got to within 33 runs thanks in the main to Max Harland (72) and Andy Sharman (48).

Whitkirk remain at the foot of the table despite winning by five wickets at home to fellow strugglers Beverley Town, who themselves have yet to win this season.

The hosts’ first victory came in a low scoring game, Mark Murphy took 6-21 and Angus Fairburn 3-20 as the pair combined with great effect to bowl out the visitors for only 105.

The home side did not have things all their own way however losing five wickets themselves, before Sean Pickles (32no) and Mark Murphy (37no) saw them over the line.

Hull Zingari are another side at the wrong end of the table at this early stage, but a 39-run victory over Malton & Old Malton did at least lift them out of the bottom two.

Callum Hellwig enjoyed a successful day with first bat then ball, he was top scorer in the Hull sides total of 186 all out, Adam Spaven (3-38) setting the tone of what was to come with three wickets.

A trio of Zingari bowlers followed his example Hellwig (3-38) joining Nauman Abid (3-44) and Jahangir Alam (3-18) in all taking three wickets.

Mike Linsley dominated the visitors’ reply scoring 83, but he was unable to find support from the other end and they were eventually all out for 147.