SIX teams are contesting two promotion places in the closing stages of the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League division one campaign.

Leaders Goole Town have played a game more than all their rivals and almost came unstuck at Bolton Percy, where the home side came within three runs of victory with their last pair at the wicket.

Half-centuries from Oscar Sugden (72) and Ashton Nottingham (53) underpinned the visitors’ total of 235 all out, which despite the advantage of a couple of extra overs the hosts narrowly failed to overhaul closing on 233-9.

Several players made useful contributions to the chase, Isaac Green among them with 47 while Thomas Anderson finished top scorer with 52, and there was also three wickets for Dave England (3-67).

Knaresborough climbed back into the promotion places after they bowled out Heworth for 90, three wickets each from Jordan Tear (3-22) and Andy Ward (3-21) securing a 96-run victory at Elm Park Way.

A 65-run stand for the second wicket between Greg Pickles (27) and skipper Dave Girling (49) provided the platform for the visitors’ total of 186 as Martin Boothroyd took 4-21.

Home captain Chris Barrett, with 20, was one of only two batsmen to reach double figures as his side lost their last eight wickets for just 32 runs.

Welton are level on points with Knaresborough following a comprehensive 129-run victory at home to Dringhouses.

James Windeatt top scored with 85 for the home side, adding 97 for the second wicket with Rhys Duerden (42) before Ashley Page smashed an unbeaten 55 from 31 balls late on to boost the total to 264-7.

The visitors lost both openers without a run on the board and, despite 70 from Liam Hancy, never really recovered as they were bowled out for 135. Harry Nightingale claimed a season's best haul of 5-18.

Harrogate remain poised in fourth just two points off a promotion place as they beat promotion rivals Carlton Towers by 110 runs, a result which saw their opponents plummet from second to sixth.

George Horbury (81) anchored the home side's innings, sharing stands of 71 with Ollie Horberry (30) and 66 alongside Will Topham (40) before an unbeaten 48 off 34 balls from Ben Bartlett saw the total reach 257-6.

Opener Henry Bayston (37) was forced to watch on as batsmen came and went at the other end, Lewis O’Donnell capturing the first four wickets to fall (4-34).

Horbury then claimed four wickets of his own, including Bayston and Jack Dawson, who held the visitors at bay with a defiant 28 late on.

Woodhouse Grange make up the top five following a narrow victory in a low-scoring encounter at home to Hornsea.

Adam Newington’s 34 was the top score in a game dominated by the ball, Ryan Lockwood taking 4-44 to restrict the visitors to 125.

Richard Medforth responded with figures of 4-62 to ensure a tight finish. Matthew Ainley’s 32 helped the hosts claim a two-wicket win and 30 points.

There was little at stake between Driffield Town and Clifton Alliance at Kings Mill Road where Jon Vodden finished 91 not out in a total of 220-4.

The visitors came within 29 runs of what would have been their first away win since mid-May but three wickets from James Barron (3-36) helped ensure that would not be the case.

Jack Heartshorne was left frustrated on 31 not out as his side were bowled out for 191.