YORK and Clifton Alliance have won through to the second round of the Royal London ECB National Club Championship following respective victories over Dunnington and Stamford Bridge.

At Clifton Park, York saw off Dunnington in convincing fashion courtesy of devastating opening spells from Jonathan Moxon, whose figures of 4-18 included a hat-trick, and Guy Darwin (2-11), as the visitors’ top order imploded with the first six wickets falling for just seven runs.

Harry Franklin (49) had earlier played the anchor role in the home side’s total of 178 which included 30 from Tom Brooks.

Batting at number eight, Daniel Barrett was the first of Dunnington’s line-up to reach double figures and he finished as top scorer with 18 before becoming the first of three wickets for Daniel Woods (3-11), as the visitors were bowled out for 70.

Clifton Alliance held on for a memorable victory at Low Catton Road after beating Stamford Bridge in one of the day’s closest finishes.

Overseas signing Matthew Montgomery was the hero with a half-century and three wickets as the visitors clinched victory by 11 runs.

The South African added 85 with Samuel Grant (54) which helped their side reach 194-7 in 40 overs.

Bridge slumped to 85-6 and it took a stand of 95 between Zac Keune (89) and Martyn Woodlife (38no) to breathe life into the contest.

The result was then hanging in the balance until Keune was caught and bowled by Montgomery with two balls of the match remaining.

Woodhouse Grange went out of the competition following a 64-run defeat to Castleford at Sandhill Lane.

Matthew Rees (3-19) and Eddie Morrision (3-32) picked up three wickets each to bowl the West Yorkshire outfit to victory.

Opener Eddie Cole (59) and new signing Scott Hopkinson (92) had earlier shared a third-wicket stand of 109 for the visitors either side of which wickets fell at regular intervals, with four going to Grange captain James Finch.

The home side, chasing 229 for victory, subsequently slumped to 69-7 before Chris Wood, who would finish unbeaten on 58, and Tom Neal (49), combined to give the total some respectability before they were eventually dismissed for 164.

Sessay were roundly beaten at home by Eppleton, of the North East Premier League Two, as wickets from Stuart Peirse and Navin Kavikara could not prevent the visitors posting an imposing 220-8.

The hosts’ response never really got going with only Joseph Watson (36) and Stuart Clark (21no) reaching double figures as their side were all out for 93.

North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League champions Barnard Castle beat Harrogate by eight wickets.

A half-century from opener Corrie Keeble (52) could not prevent the visitors from being dismissed for 146 in 34 overs and former Yorkshire left-arm seamer James Wainman finished with 3-28.

Despite two wickets from Jonathan MacGregor (2-29), the home side reached their target with 14 overs to spare.

Wainman was again to the fore, finishing unbeaten on 60.

The second round will now see York host Castleford and Alliance travel to Barnard Castle in ties to be played on Sunday, May 12.

Meanwhile, Pickering and York II avoided the rain-hit opening day of the Hunters York & District Senior League premier division season, having arranged to play their match 24 hours later – with York enjoying an easy win.

Ryan Boyes top scored with 43 as Pickering were all out for 161 in 49.3 overs.

The top three batsmen, Max Harland, Dave Greenlay and Daniel Ward, all made 20 apiece, while Kieran Bowes, coming in at nine, made 21. Tom Forsdike and Tom Spearman picked up three wickets each.

Spearman was the only man out in York's reply, bowled by Andrew Sharman for 61 off 77 balls.

Fellow opener Ben Robinson was not out on 56 and Matthew Bell on 35 when the Clifton Parkers crossed the winning line after just 35.1 overs.