A CENTURY by Nick Scaling and a hat-trick from Dominic Atkinson kept alive Sheriff Hutton Bridge II's promotion hopes alive in division three north of the Hunters York & District Senior League.

Scaling hit an unbeaten 104 as Sheriff Hutton Bridge moved to 233-2 before declaring at Whitkirk. Steven Crowder had earlier made 38 and Mike Smith 65.

When Whitkirk replied, they found the bowling of Atkinson and Tom Magee too strong and were knocked over for only 69 as Magee claimed 3-6 and Atkinson included a hat-trick in his 6-26.

York IV were unable to raise a side and conceded to Malton & Old Malton.

In division three south, Rowntrees & Huntington confirmed promotion when they defeated Pickering by three wickets as Jack Hugill hit 54.

Earlier, Pickering had totalled 167 with Ryan Taylor making 35 and Charlie Marwood 38 as Alex Phillips bagged 4-41.

Stamford Bridge, for whom Chris Smith made 36, were dismissed for 107 by Yapham as Martin Pearson took 4-39 and A Nattrass 3-37. Pearson then followed with 53 not out in a seven-wicket victory.

In division four central, Barry Wheldon hit 112 in a Duncombe Park total of 208-6, but then saw Huby reply with 211-8.

Also for Park, Nick Allenby made 44 and team-mate Dave Dunn followed with 3-51, but good contributions from Mike South, with 69, and Darren Howell, who made 47, took Huby home.

Hovingham suffered a setback when only taking 11 points in a draw at Osbaldwick, but they can still clinch promotion as they have a game in hand on second-placed Civil Service, who are only 15 points better off.

Ben Way made 32 and Stuart Hall 44 in Osbaldwick’s 178-8 as Paul Higgingbottom bagged 5-53. Hall followed with 3-29 in Hovingham’s 148-9, with Rich Chilton making 30 not out and O Coulthard 28.

Vince Coan took 5-44 as Dringhouses were dismissed for 100 at Sheriff Hutton, who then went on to win by eight wickets, with Tony Hull making 32 and Neil Fairweather 28 not out.