Nigel Kendrew, 25, Dave Morris, 32, and Simon Dobson, 27, all made good contributions with the bat for Valley as they posted 129-7.

Andrew Holtby was the pick of the Sherburn bowlers taking a fine 4-51 from his 23 overs, Kevin Metcalfe weighing in with 3-73 from his 22-over stint.

In reply Sherburn were dismissed for just 69, Kevin Lickes top scoring with a defiant 23.

Spinner Andy Holden was in lethal form with the ball for Valley claiming a sublime 4-16.

Valley, who are now 11 points ahead of their nearest rivals Ebberston, have a home game with Cayton on Saturday, 1.30pm start, and the Ayton team can clinch their title with a victory.

Ebberston are currently second in the division and they got the better of strugglers Nawton Grange by 52 runs in a low-scoring contest.

Hosts Ebberston were bowled out for 91 as Grange’s Nigel Johnson got to work taking a staggering 8-41.

Grange were then wiped out for just 39, Colin Palmer 4-51, and Richard Webster, 3-13, impressing in the Ebberston bowling attack.

Ebberston will play rock-bottom Flixton 2nds away at the weekend as they attempt to pip Valley to the league championship.

Defending champions Staxton suffered a major blow in their attempts to hold on to their title when they lost out at home to Cayton by 55 runs.

Cayton batted first and made 184-8, with all-rounders Steve McAleese, 42, Paul Woodhead, 30, and Simon Glave, 26, all doing a decent job with the bat for the visitors.

Staxton were then bowled out for 129 as Steve McAleese, 4-24, Chris Mann, 3-20 and Paul Woodhead, 3-43, all producing the goods for Cayton.

John Mancrief scored 28 for Staxton, but Staxton slipped from 40-1 to 49-6, and although Dan Bulman chipped in with an unbeaten 29 it was not enough to stop the hosts from falling to a costly defeat.

Staxton’s final league game of the season is at fourth-placed Cloughton, but the title- holders are now 15 points adrift of Valley and the title may now be out of reach.

Cloughton are 18 points behind Valley and will be also hoping that the top two sides slip up and that they can pull off a win against Staxton.