DESPITE being denied victory by York’s last wicket pair, Driffield Town saw their lead at the top of the Hunters York & District Senior League increase as closest rivals Acomb lost at bottom side Whitkirk.

A fourth half-century of the season from Alec Drury (77) and his second against York, along with 40 from Jack Riley allowed the league leaders to reach 186.

Tom Spearman, who took four wickets in the first meeting between the sides in May, again caused the hosts problems – on this occasion finishing with figures of 6-30.

The match at Clifton Park was won by Town and this one looked to be going the same way after Jamie Greavson had picked up three wickets, but visiting captain Nick Kay held firm, finishing 40 not out as his side reached the close on 168-9.

Second-placed Acomb would have fancied their chances of completing the double against a Whitkirk side which had won just one match all season before the game at Selby Road.

William Wade, who is second only to team-mate Joe Dale in the league's run-scoring charts, scored 67 of the visitors’ total of 161 which featured four wickets from Mark Murphy (4-13).

Despite four wickets from the aforementioned Dale (4-52), the home side made steady progress, reaching the target with a couple of overs to spare with Jack Wood having played a pivotal role with 48.

The hosts remain bottom despite the win but now have something to build as they look to climb out of the relegation places.

Studley Royal picked up maximum points for the third week in a row, this time courtesy of a six-wicket win at Folkton & Flixton.

The visiting trio of Will Wray (3-67), James Clarkson (4-39) and Kieran Fitzell (3-33) shared all ten wickets as the home side were bowled out for 176, Jamie Nesfield with 50 and Connor Stephenson 48 providing more than half of the runs scored.

Rob Nicholson, who made 80 last week, was again on hand this time seeing the visitors over the line with an unbeaten 84, Adam Newcombe having earlier contributed 42.

This latest victory moves the Galphay Road side to within touching distance of the promotion places.

After a disappointing start which saw Pickering languishing in the relegation places, victories in three of the last four has seen them climb to fifth.

Their latest victory by 80 runs at home to Beverley Town was based on a solid batting performance led by Tim Whincup who top scored with 76 with Colin Frank (38), David Greenlay (34) and Kieran Bowes (34) also contributing to a total of 251.

The hosts’ wickets were shared between Matthew Saint (4-65), Kieran Thompson (3-79) and Peter Parnaby (3-56).

But the best figures of the match belonged to Pickering’s Bowes who finished with 4-39 as the visitors fell well short despite 43 from Tim Smith with Matthew Mudd left stranded on 75 not out.

The match between Hull Zingari and Easingwold turned out to be a high-scoring thriller which went down to the wire.

In the end, Zingari came away with the best of a draw with just four runs separating the sides.

The strong performance from the hosts’ top order led by skipper Matthew Bunn’s 86 resulted in a total of 272-4 in a match reduced to 49 overs a side.

Nathan Johnson (41) and Laurence Wilkinson (33) put on 54 for the second wicket, with Fergus Wlikinson (47no) and his captain 110 for the fourth.

James Postill (106) and his skipper Max Cosgrove (65) responded with a partnership of 141 for the visitors’ third wicket before both were dismissed by Jack Storey (4-62).

Sean Dixon remained unbeaten on 37 but crucially was unable to find a boundary in the last couple of overs which might have swung the match in his side's favour.

The game at Moor Farm was also a high-scoring contest with visitors Malton & Old Malton choosing to bat first and making 263.

In reply hosts Sheriff Hutton Bridge got to within 24 runs of their target with eight wickets down at the close.

With the visitors taking the majority of the points, Bridge remain just outside the relegation places and face a visit from the league leaders next weekend.