EASINGWOLD skipper Martin Robinson made a triumphant return to premier division cricket last Saturday after his long lay-off due to a skiing injury in March.

He hit an unbeaten century to help his side to a six-wicket win in a high-scoring match at Thirsk.

Runs flowed in torrents as a home attack shorn of the services of a holiday-making Barry Petty failed to defend a big score of 247-2.

Aussie star Lincoln McCrae made his first ton in Thirsk colours, reaching 102 not out as he shared in a second-wicket stand of 143 with skipper Dave Greenlay, who made 81.

Robinson then aired his talents impressively as he moved to his ninth league century, while Martin Piercy made 31 and Damon Smith 25.

Fifteen-year-old John Cook temporarily applied the brakes when he bowled his permitted five overs for only 13 runs, but Petty's absence proved to be decisive despite the determined efforts of Greenlay, who claimed 3-91 in a 25-over stint.

With 24 runs required off the last two overs, a draw seemed on the cards, but sixes off the final ball of the penultimate over and the first ball of the final over drastically reduced the target.

Easingwold's cause was helped further by a no-ball and they clinched victory with a single off the seventh and final delivery of the over, with Robinson finishing on 122 not out.

Ripon's Neil Jackson made his second successive century, and his third of the season, when he hit an unbeaten 104 to help the bottom side to a 20-run victory over fellow strugglers Whitkirk.

Ripon reached 211-6, with Peter Squires (29) and Dave Bickel (32) providing support as Andy Proctor claimed 3-56.

When Whitkirk replied, Matty Tomlins made 38, Gary Thorpe 34 and Craig Shipton 38, but the combined efforts of Rob Smart (4-62) and Gary Blackburn (4-47) had the visitors all out for 191 as Ripon gave themselves a glimmer of hope in their survival bid.

Division One

Pocklington improved their chances of returning to the top rank when they had an easy victory over a Crayke side who are slipping back in the promotion race.

Nathan Job made inroads into Crayke's innings with 4-52, before Eric Watson made 32 not out and Andy Gilleard 36 to help the hosts to 127-7.

Pocklington's two wickets to fall saw Andy Inns out for 39 and Ian Camwell for 25, while Rod Hinch remained unbeaten with 48.

Sessay set aside the bitter disappointment of their elimination from the National Village Knockout Cup on the toss of a coin after two attempts to play their game against Wolviston had been rained off with Sessay well on top on both occasions.

They gained a good victory at Duncombe Park, who reached 189-7 after Andrew Pierson made 47 and Peter Kent 34.

A good team batting effort then saw Sessay take the honours with Nick Harrison making 34, Chris Till 42 and Matt Till 27, before the evergreen John Flintoff guided the ship into harbour with an unbeaten 43. Defeat left Duncombe Park in the relegation zone.

Stillington had to be satisfied with a draw when they entertained Driffield and remain just above the relegation zone.

Paul Mosey hit 55 and Andy Megginson 49 in a Stillington score of 160-9 as John Woolley took 3-50 and Mark Thompson 3-56.

Woolley followed up with 28 and Ankur Sondhi made 29, but Daley Wharton with 3-37 and Wayne Linton (4-30) ensured the advantage remained in the home corner as Driffield closed on 132-8.

Division Four

Dunnington bowler Steve Whittaker became joint holder of the most eight-wicket performances in league history when his 8-39 destroyed leaders Huby.

His return came in 19.3 overs and was his tenth eight-wicket haul, putting him on a par with Duncan Steel, who was a scourge of batsmen during the 50s and 60s, when he played first for Haxby and then Civil Service.

Darren Howell made 47 as Huby were bowled out for 115, but brother Wayne was only permitted to bat at number 11 after arriving mid-way through the innings.

Dunnington had little difficulty in reaching their target as Ian Burgess made 50 and Jim Fordham 45 and have now moved up to fourth place in the division.

Simon Barton made 67 and Ed Willey 30 as Thirsk made 159-7 at Easingwold.

Kev Smith (44), Gary Sanders (40) and Trev Smith (25) then notched a double for the day as Easingwold seconds backed up their senior team's victory over Thirsk with a five-wicket win. Rob McAndrew took 3-19 for the losers.

Division Five

Sessay had some difficulty in notching their ninth win of the season, struggling to a two-wicket victory against Stillington.

Ben Drummond was Stillington's hero as he made 71 out of an all-out score of 131, with Richard Wentworth taking 3-38, Ian Watkinson 3-36 and Tony Fox 3-23.

Peter Dalton (3-22) and Clive Wakefield (3-59) strove to defend their side's total, but Richard Ormston (33), Stuart Robinson (29) and Fox (29 not out) finally clinched victory