A SUPERB century from Mark Shepherd helped Pickering to gain the better of a draw with division one leaders Selby in the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League.

Shepherd hit 110 and Simon King struck an unbeaten 85 in an opening stand of 186 before Dave Greenlay weighed in with 32 as the Pikes totalled 249-4.

Steve Precious took 3-53 for Selby, who then managed to hang on for a draw at 202-9 thanks to 61 from Matt Hoyle as Greenlay took 3-98 and Tom Hodgson claimed 4-37.

Despite the draw, Selby increased their advantage at the top after second-placed Acomb were thwarted by the weather at Folkton & Flixton.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge continued their march up the table with a three-wicket win at Driffield.

The home side were bowled out for 145, with John Woolley making 29 and Karl Busfield 30.

Former Driffield player Jamie Hopper did the damage, taking 5-70.

Bridge again had the Fisher brothers, Matthew (38) and Adam (58no), to thank for reaching their target.

Clifton Alliance II slipped to the bottom of the division after losing narrowly at home to fourth-placed Hull Zingari.

Mark Thompson hit 68 and Jack Storey made 56 as Zingari scored 185-5.

Despite runs from James Postill (45), Alistair Wray (37) and Jonny Stevens (47no), Clifton fell just short at 174 all out. Matthew Wilkinson took 6-29 for the visitors.

Strugglers Thirsk and Hornsea both completed wins away from home.

Thirsk won by three wickets at third-placed Harrogate after being set 178 to win.

Kieran Fenwick led the way with an unbeaten 35, while Harrogate’s Nick Taylor (3-55), and Rob Stanworth (4-54) were among the wickets.

Hornsea moved off the bottom as they beat neighbours Bridlington, totalling 214-4 and then dismissing their East Coast rivals for 120.

Paul Clappison hit 123 for Hornsea.