Second-placed Clifton Alliance II lost ground on the division three pace-setters when they were held to a draw in a closely fought game at Easingwold.

Alliance made a first innings total of 195-8 thanks to the efforts of Mark Taylor (66), Jonathon Stevens (44) and Mick Malthouse (33).

The Banks brothers figured prominently in Easingwold's response, with James making an unbeaten 72 and Tom 41.

With Gary Sanders chipping in with 26, Easingwold moved to 188-7, eight short of a victory.

A fine century from Guy Wilkinson, who hit 118, enabled tenth-placed Heworth gain valuable points as they had much the better of a draw with third-placed Stillington.

Steve Clark made 26 in support to see Heworth to 207-6. Talented teenager Mike Whitwell then top-scored for Stillington with 48, while other input came from Shami Dissanayake (27), Shaun Speck (28) and Tim Jarvis, whose unbeaten 31 enabled his side to draw at 159-7, despite Ian Middleton's 3-39.

Hovingham had a 47-run victory at Londesborough Park, where all 20 wickets tumbled.

Jim Davies, with 35, and Sam Lund (28) provided the backbone in Hovingham's 126 all out, with Dan Howard taking 3-24 for the hosts.

Park were all out for 79.