Castleford Beat Beverley To Keep Promotion Hopes Alive

Sessay, runaway leaders of the Hunters York & District Senior League, could seal promotion as early as next week after they recorded a sixth consecutive victory and for the second time in row the team which started the day in second place loose to in-form York.

The title favourites were comfortable winners at home to Malton & Old Malton and just as back in June when the sides met Matthew Till scored a century, his innings of 102 matched that previous effort, but in this latest encounter he was edged out as the sides’ top scorer by Mark Wilkie who finished on 103 not out.

The pair contributed to a total of 259-2 in pursuit of which the visitors were bowled out for 170 with Danny Foxton making 45 and Stephen Linsley 39, Stephen Langstaff finished with figures of 5-36 for the home side.

Castleford moved back up to second as they returned to winning ways with victory by four wickets away at Beverley Town Cricket Club. David Wainwright took three wickets for eight runs as the home side were dismissed for 117, Greg Whyley top scoring with 26.

Jamie Roe took 3-25 in the visitors reply but an unbeaten 64 from Connor Hyde was enough to secure victory and keep the Savile Park club in the hunt for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Only 17 points separate Castleford in second and Studley Royal in fourth and between the two sit Dunnington, and a fine all-round performance from Jake Murphy helped them to a five wicket victory at home to Pickering. Dave Greenlay top scored 26 as the visitors were all out for 115, Murphy taking 5-32 before going on to make an unbeaten 39, which alongside Jonny Andrews (32) contribution was enough to see them home.

York upset promotion chasing Studley Royal in a low scoring match at Shipton Road. Matthew Hodsdon took 4-25 and Nick Kay 3-29 as the visitors were bowled out for 92, of which Dan Craven made 32. The home side also struggled losing six wickets and were indebted to Iain Jarvis (46) who made almost half the sides runs to secure a third win on the trot and with it fifth place.

A century from Grant Halder helped Driffield Town snatch a late victory over Goole Town, a result which leaves their opponents on the brink of relegation. The visitors won a gripping encounter with just two balls to spare Kevin Woodcock (32) also contributing as they chased down a target of 222. Earlier Jordan Caley had taken 4-53 despite which the hosts were still able to post a challenging total thanks to the efforts of Oscar Sugden (92) and Ollie Ounsley (53).

Bolton Percy’s chances of escaping the bottom two received a blow when their match against fellow strugglers Whitkirk was abandoned with the home side in the ascendancy. Tom Atkinson had been dismissed for 49 but at 96-1 they were well placed chasing a victory target of 210 when the rain came. Earlier the visitors lead by Sam Parker with 66 and including 40 from Jack Wood and 38 from Sean Pickles had scored 209-8, Atkinson the leading wicket-taker with 3-70.