Hadfield leads the way for Woodhouse

Reigning champions Woodhouse Grange stepped up the challenge on the leaders when they had a massive 157-run victory at Thirsk.

Nick Hadfield hit his 14th century before falling for 117 while Mike Burdett hit 54.

Grange's score was then boosted to 255-4 by an unbroken pairing between Steve Burdett (33no) and Andy Anderson (27no). Thirsk's batsmen failed badly, with the three-pronged attack of Tom Quinn 4-29, Steve Burdett (3-12) and Jake Murphy (3-19) dismissing the home side for 98.

There was a deluge at Stamford Bridge at about 1.20pm which left the ground covered in water and the local pub flooded. Nevertheless the new drainage system proved its worth and a 33-over game eventually took place.

Unfortunately this brought little reward for the hosts but did propel visiting Clifton Alliance to the top of the Premier Division when they overtook Stamford's 114-8 for the loss of seven wickets. Captain Matt Beckett made 39 for the losers but was trumped by Clifton's Sean Holes whose 53 proved to be a match-winning knock which left Peter Aconley with little satisfaction following his haul of 5-36.

At neighbouring Dunnington, the weather also caused a late start with their game being reduced to 29 overs per side. Having led the table all season Sessay came unstuck when their former overseas player Dave Johnson, now sporting Dunnington's colours, shot them down with a 7-40 return. Mark Wilkie made 30 and Chris Till was unbeaten with 36 but a score of 116-9 seemed to be inadequate. This proved to be the case as Dunnington's in-form duo of Harwood Williams (42no) and Collis King (35no) took their side to an eight-wicket win.

Studley Royal captain Steve Walmsley took 5-83 and followed with 54 at Beverley but his side were still the worst off in a high-scoring draw. Beverley had hit 260-6 with Ian Gilyon making 74, Andy Burton (38), Faisal Abid (76) and Jon Vodden (35no). Walmsley then had batting support from Gary Blackburn (35) and Rob Mackle (45) but the Royals closed short of their target at 227-8.

Steve Piercy's 5-66 tipped the scales in Easingwold's favour in their draw with Fenner. The Hambleton side's 240-8 included 71 from Jonathon Marwood, 32 by Martin Piercy and 42 by Paul Skilbeck with John Park taking 3-47 for the visitors. In response Craig Denby made 67 and Dominic Rhodes hit five sixes in a quickfire 45. Brother Will Rhodes chipped in with 36 but Piercy held both his nerve and two return catches to restrict the Hull side to 220-9.

There was another last pair draw at Goole where Acomb survived 51 overs to make 166-9 in response to the home total of 188 all out. Acomb had two heroes in Andy Tute who made 94 and Joe Dale who followed his 5-61 with 34 to help his side avoid defeat.

For Goole, Anthony Gibbins made 79 and Jake Mahoney (33) whilst Dale had bowling support from Andy Green with 3-28. When Acomb batted, Ben Lamb claimed 4-49 and Dave England (3-54) but Tute proved to be an obstacle despite completeing the latter part of his innings with a runner after pulling a hamstring.

First Division leaders Hull Zingari increased their lead to 33 points when they completely outplayed third-placed Heworth to win by seven wickets.