THE return of bowler Barry Petty coincided with a much better performance by Thirsk as they gained an advantage draw over third-placed Clifton Alliance last Saturday.

Petty, who has been the leading wicket-taker for each of the last ten seasons, made his first appearance of the season.

The performance of the Alliance bowlers had skipper Duncan Naylor tearing his hair out as he watched Thirsk reach a massive 290-5. There were three half-century makers, with Dave Greenlay hitting 79, Keogan Luiters 74 and John Harper an unbeaten 63, while Des Wyrill joined in the run banquet with 32.

Luiters then posed problems for the Clifton batsmen as he took 4-20, but resolute batting by Naylor (46) and James Postill (40) enabled their side to escape with a draw at 152-8.

Easingwold kept in touch with the leading pack when they gained a 48-run victory at Woodhouse Grange. Jonathon Marwood made 38 as Easingwold were dismissed for 168, but Dan Copeland (3-21) spearheaded the Easingwold attack as Grange were closed down for 120 all out.

Division One

Second-placed Ripon reduced the gap at the top to 11 points when they gained a good win at Crayke in a closely-fought encounter.

Mark Hutchinson clean bowled both Ripon openers, then Andrew Dawson took two quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 68-4. Andrew Frost and Chris Renshaw moved to 109 before Frost was run out for 59.

Renshaw went on to make 27 not out, but saw three other batsmen all suffer run out dismissals as Ripon reached 142-8.

Crayke lost their openers for 25, but Graeme Dawson (30) and Dave Thomas (24) improved matters. However, a collapse followed as Paul Mason, who took 6-41 in a 22-over stint, and Aussie Mark Barber (3-65) got amongst the wickets.

Mark Hutchinson (30no) eventually ran out of partners as Crayke were bowled out for 134 with just one over remaining.

Driffield have moved into third place after gaining a 29-point win at Duncombe Park, who lost by 35 runs.

Driffield were taken to a first innings score of 177-7 by Martin Dean (28), Wayne Sygrove (34) and Geoff Drury (34no), who stood against Colin Humpleby's 3-55.

Mark Woodcock then turned in a decisive spell of 6-64, while Chris Smith provided back-up with 3-35, and they were able to dismiss Park for 142. The main resistance came from two 16-year-old batsmen, Matthew Harding (31) and David Gardner (23).

Sessay's Matthew Till was at his best when his side travelled to Stillington and gained the better of a draw. Till rattled up an unbeaten 130 and, with Steve Frare adding 54, Sessay posted a score of 246-5.

Stillington then earned a comfortable draw at 158-6 due to Mark Maddock (59), Shaminda Dissanayake (34) and Ben Milburn, who celebrated his return to the club with an unbeaten 30.

Division Two

Despite losing for the first time in a low-scoring affair at Studley Royal, Stamford Bridge remain at the top of division two.

Batting bonus points were like hens' teeth as Studley Royal were dismissed for only 98, but then hit back to bowl Stamford out for just 66. Andy Mackle took 6-14 for the winners.

Division Four

Nathan Weatherstone made 44 and John Renshaw 33 when Acomb made 158-7 against Huby. Tom Little claimed 4-34 for the villagers, who went on to win by six wickets as Tom Piercy made 66, Darren Howell 33 and Wayne Howell 30.

There was a closely-fought draw at Easingwold, where the home side narrowly failed to match a Huntington score of 147-7. The visitors' runs came from Brian Pudsey (28) and Chris Smith (27) as Adrian Leckenby took 3-48 and Andy Metcalfe 3-30.

In reply, Trevor Smith made 61 and Kevin Smith 32, but Easingwold fell just short at 143-6.

Division Five

A depleted Rowntrees side salvaged a draw with Thirsk to move into third place. Dean Bramley (41) and Oliver Grant (20) scored early order runs for Thirsk following the cheap dismissals of both openers.

Dave Bird's unbeaten 21 then helped Thirsk reach 158-9 and Rowntrees quickly slipped to 27-3 inside 12 overs, before opener Alan Roberts and Albert Pattison added 77 for the fourth wicket.

Roberts fell to Bramley for 44 and he continued to pose problems in taking 4-20, but Pattison moved to an unbeaten 38 as Rowntrees gained valuable points at 125-6.

Sessay are still searching for their first victory after suffering a seven-run setback at the hands of Pocklington, who were all out for 114 as Ian Watkinson took 4-17 and Mark Shuttleworth 3-37.

Sessay's batsmen then suffered as Dave Gamble (4-46) and Mal Harrison (3-33) dismissed them for 107.

Division Six

Thorp Arch & Boston Spa gained full batting points when they entertained Stillington, but were unable to press on to victory.

Thorp reached 215-7, with Dave Linton taking 4-27 for Stillington, who were then reduced to 137-8