THIRSK’S win over Alne kept them at the top the First Division of the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League as the season enters its final stages.

They are two points ahead of Sheriff Hutton Bridge and three ahead of and last season’s champions Sessay. At the foot of the table Clifton Alliance, who have not won since the opening day of the season, trail Alne by one point.

Acomb, having taken four points from two scheduled fixtures in the week, now lead the Division Two by a point from Easingwold.

Alne batted first when they entertained league leaders Thirsk. Louis Cox with 31, Tom Wilson with 27 and 15 not out from Duncan Stirke did most to take them to 105 for seven.

Jake Petty (three for 20) and James Wilkinson (two for 16) taking the bowling honours for the visitors.

Keiran Fenwick (40) and Stuart Christon (33) led the Thirsk to victory, reaching 109 for 5 despite George Clark’s two for four.

Sessay’s winning run continued as they beat a Helperby side whose form has dipped in recent weeks.

The fixture was played at Stillington, owing to another fixture being scheduled for Sessay’s ground.

Batting first on an excellent pitch, none of Sessay’s batsmen took full advantage, but consistent contributions from Stuart Peirse (19), Matthew Wass (28), Chris Till (27 not out), Jacob Spencer (23) and Joe Watson (22) took them to 151 for 8, with Helperby bowlers Charlie Grasby (three for 32), Atish Chouhan (two for 24) and Lewis Rees-Hughes (two for 38) all enjoying some success.

The Helperby reply began promisingly with Dan Marston finding the boundary with regularity, but he was caught off Chris Spence’s first delivery for 41 and the innings lost its momentum to close on 107 for five. Spence finished with two for 33.

In the Cleveland League Nunthorpe grasped their chance to narrow the gap when they defeated their second team to grab 20 points and move to within 21 of the leaders.

They have, however, played one game more than the table-toppers.