YORK’s pursuit of the top two took a blow after a shock defeat at the hands of Driffield Town.

A superb effort from Driffield saw the hosts win the clash by 71 runs, thanks to an expert bowling display that reduced York to being all out after just 182 runs.

Young sensation Nathan Kelly (70) stole the show, whilst being supported by the excellent effort of brothers George Drury (41) and Alec Drury (42), after Driffield had elected to bat first.

Duncan Snell (40) and Yorkshire’s Finlay Bean (39) aided York in their attempts, but they were all out after 182 bowls and 43.3 overs.

Top-of-the-table Castleford avoided an upset after taking on bottom-of-the-table Easingwold, with the former winning the tie by 45 runs.

After electing to bat first, Liam Hyde (45) and Scott Hopkinson (37) helped lift Castleford to 180 all out, with Easingwold struggling to maintain the form of their hosts.

Tom Wilson (47) was just three shy of a half-century for York-based Easingwold, but batters later in the day struggled to find their rhythm, as the visitors managed just 13 runs from their last five batters.

York-based Clifton Alliance maintained their foothold in second position and hot on the tail of Castleford, defeating Harrogate by 64 runs in a captivating batting performance.

Clifton Alliance opted to bat first and secured 252 runs from their 50 overs, before bowling Harrogate out despite a respectable 188 runs from their North Yorkshire neighbours.

It was an all-York affair between Sherriff Hutton Bridge and Woodhouse Grange, with some remarkable batting on show.

Sherriff Hutton Bridge perhaps felt that they may have done enough for the win after batting first and reaching 203 runs, thanks to the efforts of Adam Fisher (83).

However, an incredible display from both Lee Goddard (88no) and Christopher Bilton (81no) guided Woodhouse Grange to victory, with only Harry Gamble (27) being the one man out throughout the visitor’s batting display.

York-based sides Stamford Bridge and Sessay both find themselves at the wrong end of the table eight matches into the season, with it being Stamford Bridge to narrowly win this contest.

After Sessay elected to field first, James Pick (40), Martyn Woodliffe (35) and Dylan McLachlan (32) all helped the Bridge to 186 runs after their 50 overs.

Diego Rosier (82) led Sessay in their fightback, with the support of Craig Ross (32), but the visitors were unable to catch their York counterparts and subsequently suffered defeat.

The final match of the Yorkshire Premier League North division took place between Scarborough and Hull Zingari, with the former coming out victorious in a professional performance.

Matty Turnbull (61) and Clarke Dougney (60) both impressed for the hosts after Hull had elected to field first, with Scarborough keen to close the gap on their opponent in the table, with just two points now separating both sides.

Hull struggled when it was their turn to bat, being all out after just 34.2 overs, with youngster Musabir Khan (25) and captain Nathan Johnson (25no) the pick of the bunch, as Scarborough celebrated their triumph after winning the contest by 71 runs.

Castleford continue to lead the way at the top on 72 points, with Clifton Alliance maintaining their good form by remaining just two points behind the leaders.

York, on 58 points, will hope to claw their way back into the title conversation whilst warily keeping an eye over their shoulder towards the likes of Sheriff Hutton Bridge, Harrogate, Driffield Town and Woodhouse Grange.