EASINGWOLD'S drive towards the Hunters the Estate Agent York and District Senior Cricket League premier division title hit the buffers at Woodhouse Grange.

Their powerful batting line-up was swept away for just 100 by Brad Winger (4-38) and Steve Burdet (3-9).

Only Martin Robinson, who scored 39, made any impression as the leaders suffered a seven-wicket defeat as Nick Hadfield (56no) and James Rudd (24no) kept Grange's championship hopes alive.

Clifton Alliance saw their title dreams wiped out when Yorkshire County paceman Steve Patterson inspired a thrilling win for relegation-haunted Stamford Bridge.

Darren hit 83 for Alliance and had solid support from John Gilham (44) and skipper Richard Musgrave (29) in a total of 219.

Patterson took 4-74 and when Bridge replied, Danny Hagan made 52 and Andy Milner 43 before the fireworks were ignited by Patterson, whose 63 came as the final eight overs yielded around 90 runs to see his side to a six-wicket win with just three balls remaining.

Heworth's overseas star Mohammed Ashfaq Ahmed was presented with the Tony Frith Award for the Best Overseas Player before his side's home game against Beverley Town.

The Lahore-based Pakistani underlined his outstanding ability by taking 6-72 and then scoring 39 but he was on the losing side as Beverley kept their premier survival hopes alive with a 75-run victory.

Despite Ashfaq's spin threat, Beverley were able to make 186 all out as Neil Stephenson (41), Jamie Mitchell (44) and Simon Bardon (28) all made good runs.

Ashfaq's 39 proved to be the only worthwhile Heworth score as Adam Nicholson produced a terminal spell of 7-46. Peter Parnaby's 3-15 completed the home side's demolition.

Acomb skipper Andy Tute had a field day against Dunnington as he led from the front in a 21-run win in a high scoring game at The Green.

Tute, who set off on his stag weekend shortly after the game, hit 70 in Acomb's impressive 252-9 and then followed with 5-33 as Dunnington were dismissed for 231. Team mates Leon Sacks with 41 and Joey Burton (56) also made good scores in face of the bowling of Hamid Khan, who took 4-56.

In reply, Simon Kellett hit 78, Khan 40 and skipper Harwood Williams 44 but their combined efforts could not prevent an Acomb win which ensured premier division safety.