Dave Towse and his Thirsk charges are in a slightly better position, especially after top dogs Woodhouse Grange slipped to defeat on Saturday.

Their loss has blown the title race wide open with third place Thirsk now just 41 points off the top of the tree.

With nearly half the season remaining it’s very much game on for both sides with Sessay also still in the title mixer, despite dropping off the pace at the weekend.

Their defeat at the hands of Dunnington has left them with a mountain to climb to gain the Premier League’s main prize but first they simply must beat Thirsk when they make the short trip to the Racecourse Ground tomorrow (1.30pm start).

On Saturday former West Indian international and Premier League legend Collis King cracked his 16th ton in the top division against Langstaff’s charges, as his side posted 240-4.

King has now scored a century in 13 consecutive seasons in the league, an extraordinary record.

He was well supported at the crease by Jack Bolam (54) and a blistering 48 off 24 balls from Kelvin Patterson.

In response Sessay struggled to make an impact but Mark Wilikie’s rearguard 43 enabled them to grab a draw on 151-9.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Sessay picked up a superb victory in their defence of the York Senior Premier Cup after overcoming Heworth.

Matt Till was the star of the showing with a wonderful all-round performance.

Till made a beautiful 118 with the bat in Sessay’s 221-7; he then scalped six wickets as the Division One side stalled on 175 all out.

“Matt Till deserves a special mention,” said Langstaff.

“He’s having an exceptional season.

“That’s his third century of the season and obviously we’re really pleased the way he’s going.

“Now we’re through to the semi-final where we’re playing Malton. They’re bottom of the league at the moment, so if we play to our potential we should be favourites but it’s a semi-final so you never know.

“We’ve now got a great chance to get into the final.”

Langstaff is now looking forward to tomorrow and is expecting a difficult test against in-form Thirsk.

“I think they’re one of the best teams in the league at the moment,” he added.

“They have a good, young side and I really think they are going places.”

Meanwhile THIRSK team regular Mark Cook is also eagerly looking forward to the battle and is hopeful his side can prolong their strong run of form.

“There’s banter already between the two sides,” he said.

“All the lads are really looking forward to the game, especially the younger lads in our team.

“It’s always a hotly anticipated game between the two of us and of course we’re looking to win it.

“It’s played with a lot of passion but we know whoever performs better on the day will win.

“We know they’re up for it.