ONLY five games were completed from the second round of Pilmoor Evening Cricket League fixtures, waterlogged grounds preventing any play in the first division fixture at Clifton Alliance, where Sessay were due to be the visitors, and Acomb’s second division fixture at Rowntrees and Huntington, whilst also in the second tier New Earswick failed to raise a side to travel to Easingwold.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge and Helperby are the only first division sides to have maximum points, whilst in contrast Newburgh and Alne are the still to register. In the second division, Huby and Easingwold have emergerd as the early pacesetters.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge recorded their second success when they overcame the challenge of visiting neighbours Sheriff Hutton.

Bridge batted first and Dave Bradshaw’s 39 provided the basis of their 99 for 6, with Eddie Hull claiming 3 for 18 in a five over spell for the villagers.

David Hull then made 29 in Sheriff’s reply, but Mark Fisher responded for Bridge with 3 for 16 and Bridge won by 13 runs as Sheriff closed on 86 for 7.

Helperby recorded their second win in convincing style when they travelled to Alne.

The home batsmen never gained any real momentum and their effort closed on 79 for 4, a target Helperby reached with ease in the ninth over with Dan Marston and Atish Chouhan each making 38 not out.

Newburgh’s batting failed for the second successive week when they struggled to make runs on a wet pitch and were bowled out by Thirsk for 48. Will Moss with 18 and Tony Fox with 17 put up some resistance but their colleagues had little answer to R Porter (4 for 17) and James Wilkinson (2 for 8).

Thirsk did not have things all their own way in reply, but Kieran Fenwick’s unbeaten 24 helped them reach 49 for 3 in relative comfort.