DAN MONTGOMERY’S superb all-round display powered Burn to a thrilling victory against Fulfordgate in the first division of the HPH York Vale Cricket League on Saturday.

He took 5-37 to restrict Gate to 169-8 with Alan Baldock (55) holding the innings together.

Burn lost skipper Leigh Adamson in the first over and looked out of it at 58-3 with only 15 overs remaining. But Montgomery put bat to ball in spectacular fashion, slamming six sixes in an unbeaten 110 to clinch a four-wicket victory with an over to spare.

Ovington remain favourites to retain their title after another emphatic victory, amassing a huge 310-6 in their 40 overs. As so often with the Knavesmire men there were contributions right down the order with the highlight being a fourth-wicket stand of 128 in just 14 overs between Craig Nicholl (72) and Ben Morrison (62) after Chris Tune hit 60. Kelfield were able to bank maximum batting points after Matt Walker (78) and his brother, Chris (46), enjoyed a partnership of 87, but Ovington won by 109 runs.

Stockton & Hopgrove were cut down for 106 by Bishopthorpe seamers Ian Holmes (6-31) and Matthew Riley (3-24). Rob Ireland top scored with 38 as the Bishops secured a six-wicket win.

Openers Paul Morrison (72) and Jamie Agnew (46) put on 75 as division two leaders Ben Johnson cemented top spot with a runaway win against South Cave & Brantingham.

A young Clifton Alliance side, playing a rare Saturday home game, did plenty of leather chasing against Westow whose skipper Mark Earle struck 101 to set up his side’s easy win.

Stillingfleet’s bowlers proved too good for Heworth at Elm Park Way where the home side were skittled for 67. Phil Johnson had superb figures of 10-6-7-3, supported by spinner Chris Woodfine (3-28). Fleet won by six wickets, Rob Murray remaining undefeated on 30.

It was a similar tale at Melbourne where home captain Harry Collins defied a virus to return 9.1-4-10-5 against Selby who crashed to 56 all out – 19 of those being extras. Wicketkeeper Matt Beevers snaffled four victims and Brian Underwood took 3-18 in a six-wicket win for the villagers.

Askham Bryan won their third game on the bounce after successfully defending a modest 1130-7 against Hirst Courtney.

Wheldrake show no signs of loosening their grip on division three after their mean bowling attack, led by Mark Cass’ 4-13, winkled out Thorpe Willoughby for 71. Although Martin Cooke hit back with 5-28, Wheldrake won with ten overs to spare.

At 84-9, Bishopthorpe II were in big trouble against Ovington III but final pair Lewis Goldsmith (39no) and John Latimer (33) got them to 156 before Latimer was bowled by Ben Svenson (6-25). Ovington looked in charge at 94-3 but fell six runs short.

Dunnington still to have taste victory after losing narrowly to Askham Bryan II despite Josh Archer’s 5-31 haul.

Selby II finally broke their duck in division four, Kevin Lund’s 5-24 proving decisive in the win against Heworth II.

Press Performance of the Week

Burn all-rounder Dan Montgomery’s unbeaten 110 and 5-39 against division one rivals Fulfordgate