THE early pacesetters in the Pilmoor Evening League first division are Newburgh and Clifton Alliance, while Dringhouses and Sheriff Hutton lead the way in the second.

Newburgh won for the second week running when they entertained Alne. The visitors batted first and reached 102-9.

Opener Jackson was the only batsman to reach double figures, batting almost throughout the innings for 61 before he fell to Josh Sargent in the last over.

Sargent (3-29) then went on to complete a hat trick, with Tommy Banks (2-9) and Dave Taylor (2-7) having earlier bowled good spells.

When Newburgh replied, Sargent displayed the other side of his game. Coming in at the fall of the first wicket, he formed a significant partnership with Tommy Banks (26), then saw his side to a comfortable victory at 104-3 in 14 overs, finishing the contest with a six and in doing so reaching his half century to complete a fine evening’s work.

The 2015 champions, Acomb, recorded their first win of the campaign when they entertained Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

Dan Littlewood dominated the Bridge attack in making an unbeaten 83 as Acomb reached 152-8, Brandon Weal supporting with 38 while Steven Croft (2-15) and Isaac Giannini (2-23) showed up well for the visitors.

The Bridge reply started poorly as Alex Sanderson (2-25), Charlie Marshall (2-15) and Charlie Brooks (2 for 15) gave their side the upper hand,

And although Bridge rallied with an unbeaten 47 from Jordan Grose, they never seriously threatened the Acomb score and closed behind on 137-7.

Sessay took on neighbours Thirsk and soon found themselves in deep trouble after they had chosen to bat first.

Lewis Banthorpe (2-12) took early wickets to help reduce the hosts to 20-5 before Chris Till (23) began a recovery.

Sessay slipped further into trouble at 56-8, before some late blows from James Easton (25 not out) helped Sessay to 88-9.

James Wilkinson (3-22) and Richard Kirby (2-18) emerged with good returns for Thirsk, whose reply began in similar fashion to that of their hosts.

Aaron Bumby (2-9) had them in trouble at 29-4, but Wilkinson displayed his all round talents in making 44 not out and in the end this excellent match was tied as Thirsk closed on 88-5, failing by one run to secure the six runs needed from the final over.

Helperby batted first when they welcomed Clifton Alliance and reached a respectable 118-5 with Matt Cavanagh making 49 and Dan Marston 30.

Dominic Snook had the best return for Alliance with 2-18. Jake Atkinson played the match-winning innings for the York side in making 61 not out as Clifton won at 119-5 despite Joe Kinsella’s 2-16 for the hosts.

In the second division, Sheriff Hutton recorded their second win when they entertained Crayke. Joe Schofield took the batting honours with 50 (retired) while support came from Matthew Prosser with 17 as Sheriff totalled 121-4, James Pocklington returning 2-36 for Crayke.

When Crayke replied, Graeme Dawson made 27 and Joe Dey 17, but Ian Bews with 3-24 put Sheriff on top as Crayke were all out for 103.

Dringhouses are the other side in the division to have maximum points, their latest success coming at Raskelf.

Trevor Reynolds made 32 as his side reached 80-7, but the evergreen Mick Kenyon, who took 3-6 from 4 overs, and Ben Johnson (4 for 1) held Raskelf in check.

Dringhouses replied with 83-3, Tom Owen making 29 and I Milner 22, whilst Brad Clark emerged with credit for Raskelf in claiming 2-15.

Huby’s batting was destroyed by Easingwold’s Tommy Langstaff, whose return of 5-14 restricted Huby to 67-7, with only Matthew Woodall (21) putting up significant resistance. Max Cosgrove, with 34, then led Easingwold to the win at 68-3 in the 13th over.

The other scheduled second division fixture saw Rowntrees and Huntington concede their match to Civil Service.