MALTON & Old Malton avoided defeat at promotion-chasing Acomb but remain deep in Hunters York & District Senior League division one relegation danger.

Malt battled away but were a clear second best and picked up only eight points, leaving them second from bottom with five games left in which to make up a deficit of 28 points to safety.

Matthew Dale made 72 and brother Joe 54 as Acomb totalled a daunting 253-6. Malton produced a reasonable response but closed on 179-8. Dan Foxton led the way with 61 and Wayne Dawson made a fine 54.

Their battle at the bottom was not helped by neighbours Pickering, who struggled to draw at basement team Selby.

The promotion-seeking Pikes were reduced to 131-9 when pursuing a target of 206-9, Ryan Boyes (32) being the main reason they avoided a shock defeat.

Pickering were leapfrogged into fourth place by Folkton & Flixton, for whom Harry Walmsley and Neil Elvidge starred in a huge win over Bridlington which almost certainly ends the latter’s own promotion hopes.

Walmsley captured 5-46 as Brid totalled 199, of which Casey Rudd made 74.

Walmsley followed with 35 – being the only wicket to fall - as Flixton won by nine wickets, with Elvidge hitting an unbeaten 138.

Duncombe Park’s bid for promotion in division two north ran into trouble when they lost to Ripon by 41 runs - but rivals for their runners-up berth Harrogate II and Tadcaster Magnet were both also beaten.

The decisive factor in Duncombe’s defeat was Tom Leeming’s 92 not out as Ripon totalled 163-6. Peter Kent replied with 29 but was devoid of adequate support as Mark Rimmer gleaned 4-43, Jake Briscombe 2-24 and Graham Bassitt 2-1 to bowl Park out for 122.

Tom Harrison made a season’s best 64 not out when struggling Sheriff Hutton batted first at leaders Osbaldwick but his side were still dismissed for 129 as Anthony Butterfield claimed 6-18.

Osbaldwick moved to an eight-wicket triumph as Jonny Rawsthorne made 41 and Rich Carew an unbeaten 57.

Sheriff dropped into the bottom two as Hovingham won by 50 runs at Harrogate II to bely recent form and move out of the drop zone.

Hovingham’s 151, which included 39 by debutant Edward Robinson, seemed to be a bit short of par after Ollie Driver captured 4-24 and Ben Bartlett 3-37. In reply, George Ellaby made 36 but, with Tom Lund taking 3-30 and Steve Mosey a superb 5-15, Harrogate were dismissed for 101.