SHERIFF Hutton Bridge cut the deficit to the top of the Hunters York & District Senior League to 21 points thanks to a cracking win by 101 runs over Fenner - despite two of their leading batsmen suffering first ball ducks.

Premier division leaders Woodhouse Grange were outplayed in a draw with second-placed Easingwold so only picked up 11 points, while third-placed SHB collected the full 30 as they maintained their unbeaten record.

They lost the toss against Fenner and were put into bat but, despite an immediate loss, Dave Bradshaw (61) and Adam Fisher (64) added 101 for the second wicket before both fell in rapid succession.

Rob Pinder (45) then teamed up with Mark Fisher (63) to carry their side to a total of 255-6.

Mark Fisher (3-56) was straight back into the action after the break and quickly grabbed three wickets. With Eddie Barnes (3-41) also striking twice, Fenner had lost half their side for under 70. Joe Hewitt hit 51 but Jordan Grose with 3-21 helped to dismiss the visitors for 154.

Easingwold are now only eight points behind Grange after gaining the better of a draw in the battle between the top two.

A fine unbeaten 90 by Paul Skilbeck helped Easingwold to 199-7 and he also claimed 3-52 while James Postill had 3-26 to peg Grange to 154-6 at the close.

Stamford Bridge fell to lowly York II by nine wickets thanks to an unbeaten half-century by Ryan McKendry.

Paul Milner made 24 for Stamford but saw his side dismissed for only 108 as Glen Richmond bagged 3-22 and Tom Love 3-11.

York’s reply was led by McKendry, with Sam Beales supporting with 37 not out.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Hutton Bridge II slipped from first to third in division three north when they had the worst of a draw at Stillington II.

The hosts were given a solid start by Barry Milburn (40) and Wayne Linton (32) and then Tim Jarvis made 25 and Shaun Speck 31.

Nick Scaling was the pick of the Bridge bowlers with 4-40 and then followed with 26. Steve Clipston added 30 but Jack Cartwright took 3-24 as Bridge drew at 184-8.

Easingwold II moved to the head of the table after beating Malton & Old Malton II by three wickets.

Batting first, Malton made 132 with the pick of their batsmen being R Wharton, with 41, and T Audsley, who made 25. Easingwold's Andy Metcalfe took 3-49 and Tom Langstaff 3-19.

L Barker’s 45 took Easingwold home despite the efforts of Tony Linsley (3-27) and Mark Yates (3-28).

In division three south, Goole Town II kept in touch with the leaders by beating Pickering II by six wickets.

The Pikes made 151-5 with 57 from Kieran Bowes and 35 by Matt Butler. Anthony Gibbins led the reply with 58, while Brendan Lewis added 39 as Tony Evans took 3-25.

New Earswick II had the better of a draw at Stamford Bridge II after making 175-9.

There was 54 by L Whittaker and an unbeaten 37 by Paul Stimpson as Mark Fairweather took 3-38 and Andy Healey 3-24.

Callum Burge then managed to stave off defeat for Bridge by making 52 not out as Martin Hewitson, with 4-24, had Bridge on the edge at 143-9.

Sheriff Hutton II had little joy against division four central leaders Copmanthorpe II, going down by five wickets.

Sheriff were bowled out for 101 by Andrew Godfrey (5-30) and Dave Deighton (3-12) and Joel Arnold then made 46 in Cop’s winning total of 102-5.

Duncombe Park II, though, enjoyed their first win and moved off the bottom of the table with a six-wicket victory over third-placed Hovingham II.

C Thorpe made 55 in Hovingham’s 119 as Bev Nicholson took 5-35. R Jacobs was unbeaten with 31 when Park prevailed.