SESSAY saw their lead at the top of Hunters York and District Senior Cricket League division one increase despite missing out on victory in a thrilling finish at Bridlington.

The runaway league leaders travelled to sixth placed Bridlington who made 209-4 thanks largely to Casey Rudd (78), who passed fifty for the fifth time in six innings, and Sam Edmundson (46no).

Sessay came within four runs of an eighth straight victory as Matthew Till (53), Mark Wilkie (37) and Liam Carver (32no) all contributed in the rain reduced contest, and Rudd finished with 3-40 as the home side held their nerve and as a result climbed three places up the table.

It was all change below the leaders, though, as the three teams directly below them at the start of the day were all ousted from their positions in an increasingly close fought race for the promotion places.

Beverley Town II, remain unbeaten and moved up to second, as they took the lion’s share of the points from their draw against bottom side Sewerby.

Robert Fish made an unbeaten 92 for the home side, Joshua Dawson claiming 3-45 in a total of 198-7. Tommy Hudson replied with 3-42 for Sewerby as Lewis Beasley finished 63 not out in his team's 162-8.

Bolton Percy moved into the top four - the only side to force a win on a day which saw all the division’s matches affected by the weather to some extent.

In a low scoring contest, Ben Lamb took 3-41 for hosts Goole Town as the visitors were dismissed for 135 but, despite 33 from Ben Shelton, they were unable to prevent a third straight defeat which has seen drop from second to fifth.

The day’s biggest surprise saw Whitkirk come off second best against Malton & Old Malton.

Thomas Bumby scored 96 off just 49 balls as he and Stephen Linsley (64no) sharing an unbroken stand of 127 in Whitkirk's 221-4.

Oliver Gilbank (3-28) then took the first three wickets in Malton & Old Malton's reply but, despite all the top seven batsmen getting into double figures, none got beyond 30 and they could only muster a final total of 179-7.

Driffield Town II began the day in third but ended it in sixth.

Pickering climbed above them after recovering from 93-5 to make 207-7 - Ryan Boyes and Chris Nichols each making 38. Mike Sharp and Mark Clarkson both passed 30 for Driffield but they were restricted to 178-8. Keiran Bowes finished with three wickets.

Jonny Rawsthorne made 77, and Matt Dunne 44, out of Osbaldwick’s total of 152-7 as Conor Stephenson finished with 3-10. That came in reply to Folkton & Flixton’s 214-8. Matt Dandy top scored with 54 in a match between two sides at the wrong end of the table.