SHERIFF Hutton Bridge II maintained their inexorable march towards promotion in the York & District Senior Cricket League as their nearest rivals suffered disappointing results at the top of Galtres division two.

Bridge visited Thirsk and the home team found batting first tough going due to excellent spells from Jordan Grose (3-27) and Rob Stevens (5-17).

They reached 129 all out and that was only thanks to the prolific Harry Collinson, who made his third half-century of the season in reaching 69.

In response, Bridge lost half of their wickets in the run chase but reached their target in the 32nd over after important contributions from Rob Stevens and Jack Hugill, who both made 48.

Nearest rivals Pannal visited Osbaldwick and were asked to bat first.

Reaching 70-0 at drinks, the wicket of Andy Ellis for 27 turned the game and the team collapsed to 123 all out, despite Rob Ellis' 46, after crucial spells from Dan Ellwood (3-23) and Matt Hattee (4-24).

Captain Hattee then played the decisive knock after Rob Smith (3-34) had taken out the top three, making 62 not out to see his Osbaldwick side home for the loss of five wickets, leaving Bridge ahead of second-placed Pannal by 79 points.

Third-placed Sessay II were unable to take any advantage as their game against Stillington was lost to the weather without a ball being bowled.

At the other end of the section, New Earswick won their third game out of the last four as Bilton in Ainsty visited.

Batting first, the hosts were indebted to Andy Routledge's 41 as they made 155-9, with William Swires (3-49) and Ian Hutchinson (3-28) among the wickets.

Routledge then enjoyed further success with the ball as he claimed 3-14 and, alongside Paul Stimpson's wily off-spin (4-35), they managed to bowl Bilton out for 127 despite Tim Lambert's 31 to take the full 30 points.

This win saw New Earswick leapfrog Duncombe Park, whose losing streak continued as they visited fellow strugglers Hovingham.

Batting first, the home side made 186 all out with runs from Paul Wilkinson (60), George Wainwright (40) and Oliver Coultard (27), Connor Campbell claiming 3-57.

Jake Fox made 27 for Duncombe Park in reply but their batting line-up had no answer to crucial spells from Rich Bowling (3-28) and Wainwright (4-29) again as they capitulated to 71 all out in the 27th over.

The other game in the division saw Tadcaster Magnets make the short trip to Thorp Arch and Boston Spa.

The visitors batted first and were bowled out in the 33rd over for 156 after four wickets apiece for Nitikant Kasana (4-47) and Jonny White (4-37).

Magnets were indebted to Paul Clark, not only with his 64 with the bat but also when it came to their turn to field as his accurate seam bowling claiming 3-36.

In tandem with Jack Burton, who took 3-7, they bowled the home team out for 121, Dan Kilby top-scoring for TABS with 30.

The race for promotion at the top of Galtres division three continues to be a close-run affair, leaders Rowntrees & Huntington picking up another important win as they visited Sheriff Hutton.

R&H were again indebted to Tom Shaw, who added four wickets to reach 30 for the season as he combined with Dan Waterworth (3-25) to bowl out the home team for 108, with Matthew Maltby making 41 and Geoff Schofield 31 not out.

Shaw then again turned on the style to add 40 not out to take his average over 100 with the bat for the season as R&H made the total for the loss of six wickets to Ed Ramsden (3-30) and Ian Bews (3-27).

Knaresborough II remain in the second promotion place as they recorded a winning draw at home to bottom side New Earswick II.

In a rain-reduced game, the home team made 155-5, with Sam Baines (63), John Dodman (45) and S Richards (37) in the runs.

When New Earswick came to bat, Matt Taylor made 39 but Henry Perham's 4-31 restricted the visitors to 126-9 as they held out for a draw with one wicket still needed for victory.

Closing the gap to seven points were Wetherby after a convincing home win against Osbaldwick II.

Batting first, the home team made 236-5. Osbaldwick were then no match for that total and succumbed to 125 all out in the 33rd over.

With the games between Tadcaster Magnets II and Heworth III and York IV and Woodhouse Grange III lost to the weather, the only remaining game in the section came at Easingwold II, where Huby were the visitors.

Batting first, Huby saw Sean Dixon go past 400 runs for the season as he made 40 alongside 26 from Dan Grainger and 26 by A Kirkbride as Huby managed to get up to 170-8 from their 45 overs.

In response, Jamie Metcalfe made 33 but Dan Grainger claimed 3-27 as the home side were bowled out for 110 to give the visitors the full 30 points.

Huby II moved within two points of Galtres division four leaders Thorp Arch & Boston Spa II as they recorded a 103-run victory at home to Copmanthorpe II.

Batting first, the home team made 222-6 as Tom Howell top-scored with 65. Copmanthorpe were never in the hunt in reply as they were bowled out for 119, with Rob Wentworth bagging 3-5.

Thorp Arch & Boston Spa II made 167-7 as they batted first at Heslington II, with Jim Riley (26), Rob Williams (31) and Sam Mattershead (45no) in the runs.

Mattershead again contributed with the ball as he took 3-41 but Heslington reached their target for the loss of five wickets with runs from Isaac Giannini (42) and James Reynolds, who saw his side home with 72 not out.

Dringhouses II emerged victors in a low-scoring match at home to Hovingham II.

Batting first, Dringhouses saw Murray Coyle make 26 but found Max John in fine form for the visitors as he claimed 5-19.

Yet when Hovingham came to bat, they had no answer to Jacob Harrison-Green's spell of 7-40 as they were bowled out for 91 despite contributions from Henry Smith (31) and Richard Chilton (27).

The other game in the division saw Sheriff Hutton II claim the full 30 points from their trip to Stillington II.

Batting first, the visitors made 189-7 as Dan Grimmins fell just short of a century with 93 and Neil Fairweather making 36. Joe Judge took 4-33 for Stillington.

Fairweather enjoyed a fine all-round game as he then took 4-15 and combined with Vince Coan, who took 4-20, to bowl out the home side for 71 in the 33rd over.