GOOLE Town secured a winning draw at home against Thirsk last Saturday, falling two wickets short of victory.

Building on their winning league start Goole batted first after being put in by the away side, and Australian Ashley Hulme once again top scored with 77.

His opening partner Anthony Gibbins fell early on when just 10 runs were on the scoreboard but Kevin Murphy hit 32 before being removed with the scores at a more respectable 69-2.

Neil Foster then went three better to finish on 35 before losing his wicket with Goole on 148-3, with the team finally finishing on 192-8 off the 50 allotted overs.

Thirsk's best bowlers were veteran Barry Petty who took 5-72 off 16 overs, with support from D Towse who finished with 2-53-25.

In response Goole quickly reduced their opposition to 30-2 before a brief respite from Sean Holmes who hit 30 to take them to 95-3 before losing his wicket leaving teenage opener Liam McKendry to top score for Thirsk with 58 not out.

But tight bowling by Goole restricted them to just 145-7 and earned them 25 points to their opponents 11.

Hulme took 3-50 off 18 overs, and was supported by Will Sparks with 2-12-7, including three maidens, Richard Mann, 1-18-11 and Murphy, 1-23-7.

Goole's next match in the Hunters York and District Senior League Premier Division is at home on Saturday against Stamford Bridge CC 1st XI, who scored 204 to their opponents 106 at the weekend in a winning draw.