Towse made his Yorkshire debut in 1968 when he had match figures of 3-50 against Cambridge University at Fenner.

This was to be his only first class appearance as his progress was hampered by a back injury although he did play two Minor County games in 1988, one for Yorkshire II against Lancashire II and the other for Middlesex II at Hastings.

Nevertheless he went on to play 12 one-day games making five appearances in the Nat-West Trophy and seven in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy.

Once again the deadly Thirsk duo of Towse and Barry Petty overwhelmed the opposition as Malton were bowled out for only 44.

Towse's five-wicket haul took his season total to 55 wickets in a severely curtailed programme due to the appalling weather.

However, in taking 5-19, Petty raised his season's tally to 68 wickets which has taken him way past the 500 mark in the Premier Division.

Thirsk's opening pairing of Liam McKendry (29no) and Des Wyrill (17no) then strolled to a 10-wicket win.

Play was only possible in one other Premier Division game. This saw last year's champions Clifton Alliance move up two places into fourth with a seven-wicket victory over Stamford Bridge. Bridge captain Matt Beckett rounded off his season with 35 whilst Danny Hagan made 29.

James Postill claimed the first four wickets as he took 4-16 in a tight 14 over spell whilst former Malton teenager Reece Crowe claimed 2-13.

Clifton then clinched maximum points in 32 overs as Chris Malthouse with 64no and Richard Musgrave (31) played the major roles in a seven-wicket win.

Needing merely to avoid defeat in order to claim the first division honours, Hornsea adopted a cautious approach when replying to the 137-4 made by their closest challengers Beverley Town.

Whilst only taking three points from the game Hornsea ensured that Beverley did not usurp their crown by making 92-3.

For Beverley, Andy Burton made 45no, Sam Bardon (26) and Anthony Spence (37) with Alastair Kirk claiming 4-59.

In taking 21 points, Beverley assured promotion which, in the event, was unthreatened due to Bridlington's heavy home defeat.

Fenner wrapped up the second division trophy at Beverley where the third-placed side crashed to a 10-wicket defeat.