OVINGTON staged a dramatic fightback against North Cave to secure a place in the second round of the HPH Cup in the only tie to beat the weather at the weekend.

Rain washed out the entire York Vale Cricket League programme barring the cup game at Church Street where the sides opted to play a 24 overs a side match.

Cave won the toss and had little hesitation on putting in their York-based visitors on a damp wicket.

Batting was difficult and Pete Kelly’s 37 proved vital as Ovington were bowled out for exactly 100, losing their last seven wickets for just 28 runs. Mike Stellings headed an excellent team bowling performance with 4-28 and John Buttle weighed in with 2-28.

Cave seemed well set as Charlie Cockin (30) put on 48 with fellow opener Mark Woodall (14) in decent time. But once they were separated, Cave collapsed in even more spectacular fashion than Ovington’s innings had folded.

Change bowlers Barry Steel and Neil Metcalfe ran riot in the middle overs and Cockin was brilliantly stumped by Tom Ashby standing up to Steel. The home side’s cause was not helped when a Steel delivery rose from a good length and hit John Backhouse in the mouth, causing him to retire hurt and requiring hospital treatment.

Metcalfe completed his spell, taking 3-20 and Cave’s final opportunity rested with skipper James Windeatt. He hit a huge six off Dave Brummitt but was caught on the boundary next ball.

Man of the match Steel fittingly finished the innings, returning outstanding figures of 5.3-1-9-4, as Cave fell from 48-0 to 68-9 in less than 10 overs and Ovington ran out winners by 32 runs.

All the other HPH ties, plus the matches in divisions three and four, were wiped out by the weather. Most HPH Cup ties will now be played on Sunday (June 1) although the Selby v Bishopthorpe encounter will be played on Sunday, June 8.

The first round of the Scothern Construction Cup, played on Sunday, suffered a similar fate with all games washed out. They only result was a walkover victory for Yapham because opponents Malton & Old Malton could not raise a team.

The second round of the HPH is due to be played on Saturday, June 21 and the Scothern second round the following day.

It has been a soggy start to the campaign with 51 of the scheduled 104 league and cup fixtures lost to waterlogged pitches in the opening five weeks of the season.

Hemingbrough’s Dave Milburn has been appointed the league’s child welfare officer. He replaces Mike Wellock who has resigned from the league committee because of work commitments.

Milburn, a former Barlby School teacher, is also the child welfare officer for the York and District Junior Cricket League.

Wellock had served on the Vale management committee since 2006 and took on the role as child welfare officer the following year. He also had spells as the league’s assistant secretary and sat on the finance and development committee.