SHERIFF Hutton Bridged bounced back up to second place in the Hunters York & District Senior League premier division after a comprehensive victory at old adversaries Easingwold.

The hosts had held runners-up berth going into Saturday’s game but Bridge’s three-pronged attack had them all out for 106 to set up a six-wicket win for the visitors.

Ex-SHB junior captain Martin Piercy made 26 for Easingwold and Paul Skilbeck 27 but Jordan Grose took 4-30, Mark Fisher 3-19 and Ben Harrison 3-34.

In response, Adam Fisher made 29 before Paul Scaling’s unbeaten 27 clinched victory.

Champions Woodhouse Grange nevertheless seem certain to retain their crown after defeating Fenner by eight wickets.

Grange’s lead at the top is 53 points with five games left. They have two home games this Bank Holiday Weekend, too, against mid-table pair Stamford Bridge on Saturday and Beverley Town on Monday, while SHB go to Clifton Alliance and relegation-threatened Sewerby.

Stamford Bridge had by far the better of a draw at lowly Dunnington on Saturday.

Good unbeaten innings by Phil Hill (67) and Dave Chaplin (48) saw Stamford post 204-6. The hosts then lost five wickets as Dominic Rhodes claimed 3-32 but eased to a draw at 125-5 as Jack Bolam made 45 not out and Adam Dyson a season’s best 29 not out.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge II also moved back into second place in their table – division three north - after defeating leaders Easingwold II by two wickets at Moor Farm.

Ryan Waite hit 63 but Easingwold’s innings was ended on 160 by a good spell from Danny Clipston (5-26).

Youthful opener Harry Sutcliffe made 42 in reply before the experience of Mike Smith (26) and Nick Scaling (34) saw SHB home.

Malton & Old Malton II were left hanging on for a draw at Stillington, a result which leaves them still in the relegation mix.

Wayne Linton (69), Barry Milburn (41) and Matt Coulson (47no) took the hosts to 203-7. Malton were on 145-9 when the game ended. Martyn Woodliffe’s 51 was his best score of the season while Alistair Blacklee made 29 and Adam Hill made 27.

Relegation-threatened Pickering II were unable to turn dominance into victory against fellow division three south strugglers Selby II but their 27-point haul lifted them above their opponents and just one point behind Stamford Bridge II, who are third from bottom.

Pickering were able to declare on 249-4 and came within a whisker of receiving full dividends as Selby had their last pair at the crease at the close, reduced to 144-9.

For Pikes, Neil Cowton made 83, Shaun Smith 29, Les Welburn 32, Matt Butler 27 and Charlie Marwood an undefeated 39, while Tim Whincup took 4-33.

Stamford Bridge II salvaged a draw against leaders Rowntrees & Huntington who declared on 227-2 after Nick Johnson cracked 111 not out and Jack Hugill 68.

Des Healey’s unbeaten 31 against one of his former teams helped Stamford close on 122-8, despite the bowling of Steve Beales (3-20) and Dan Waterworth (3-23).

Hovingham II kept their promotion drive on track in division four central when they hammered Huby II by 10 wickets - Richard John hitting 73 not out and Jonathon Huberry 62 not out after S Newton had earlier bagged 3-11 as Huby were dismissed for 156.

Duncombe Park II made 172-6 before bowling New Earswick II out for 97. For Park, Nick Allenby (66), Jeremy Lascelles (42) and D Dunn (3-13) shone.

Sheriff Hutton II were dismissed for 88 by Osbaldwick’s S Hall (3-28), Ed Baldwin (3- 17) and Pete Machin (3-8). Hall (27) and Andrew Richardson (46no) took Osbaldwick to a seven-wicket win.