SHERIFF Hutton Bridge kept up their title challenge in division one of the Pilmoor Evening League thanks to a 46-run derby win at Sheriff Hutton.

Bridge are level with Sessay two points behind leaders Thirsk with five games of the campaign remaining.

The second-placed side batted first and posted 148-8, with Rob Pinder hitting 31 and Dave Phillips 40, while David Hull claimed 4-21.

Sheriff Hutton's reply was led by Geoff Schofield's 50 and 21 from Tom Harrison, but they collapsed to 102 all out as Nick Scaling took 3-2 and Danny Cass mopped up the tail to finish with 4-1.

Thirsk kept their winning run going when they beat Newburgh by 76 runs, while Sessay beat Clifton Alliance to notch a fourth consecutive victory.

Meanwhile, Natty Burge hit the winning runs against his former team-mates as Stamford Bridge beat Melbourne in the Foss Evening League.

Melbourne showed fighting spirit in the division one game at Low Catton Road, but the hosts won an enthralling game by two wickets.

Alex Romaniw had a fine all-round game for Melbourne with 57 not out and 4-16, and he was supported by Ian Kirby (30no) as Melbourne made 117-1.

Romaniw’s burst reduced Bridge to 15-5 in reply, but Rob Gilyeat (43) and Kev Murphy (32) recovered the situation and Burge cracked a boundary to seal victory with four balls to spare.

In division two, Thixendale came out second best in a high-scoring match at home to Yapham.

Yapham skipper Jack Holman hit 76 and Martin Pearson 42 in a total of 151-6.

J Smith (29) top-scored for Thixendale as a number of batsmen got a start in making 130-6.

In division three, Aviva Vikings conceded their match to Bishop Wilton citing travelling difficulties.

That has led the committee to begin a review of how the league should be organised in future to reduce the risk of cancellations.