FULFORDGATE’S Alan Baldock just missed out on a century against HPH York Vale Cricket League division one rivals North Duffield.

He finished on 97 not out from 99 balls as the bottom club made 161-7 in a three-wicket defeat. Fellow veteran John Patrick took 3-18 in 12 overs to keep Fulford in check and team-mates Paul Johnson (62) and Martin Trevaskiss (51) secured victory with a second wicket partnership of 122.

Kelfield had their win against Stockton & Hopgrove done and dusted in quick order. A season’s best 6-41 by Sam Dunn saw Stockton slip from 91-1 to 154-8 at tea. Openers Phil Smith (45) and Andy Charlton (44) put on 95 to set up a six-wicket win with more than nine overs to spare.

North Cave maintained their advantage at the top by winning a rain-interuppted game at Burn whose Lee Adamson top scored with 46 in a total of 117-6 from 30 overs. Cave were in trouble at 58-5 before Mike Stellings (36no) and James Windeatt (26no) came together.

Division two leaders Ben Johnson lost their unbeaten record at promotion rivals Melbourne, being bowled out for just 46 on a difficult wicket. An innings spanning just 28.5 overs included 13 maidens with Brian Underwood taking 4-18 and glovesman Matt Beevers claiming four victims.

Bowlers also held sway at Askham Bryan where Clifton Alliance were hustled out for 95 but still managed to win. Paul Thornton set the tone with two early strikes to reduce Clifton to 11-2 before Pete Wood (5-30) and Mark Grewer (3-21) worked their way through the card. At 57-1 Askham seemed to be cruising but 18-year-old Lewis Clark took five wickets in two overs, finishing with 6-14.

Jake Wild certainly has a penchant for the Heworth bowling, following his unbeaten ton earlier in the season with 99 not out in a match-winning Hirst Courtney total of 232-7. Wild struck five sixes and nine boundaries in a Hirst card which featured three run outs.

Wheldrake took a step closer to promotion from division three with an emphatic win against Stockton & Hopgrove II as Anthony Cartetr (119no) and Martin Lambert (61) took advantage of some wayward bowling with a second-wicket stand f 129.

Carter’s innings was eclipsed by Acomb’s Dan Littlewood who smashed 125 not out in a runaway win against Bishopthorpe II. He scored exactly 100 in boundaries as Acomb piled up 239-3.

Ovington II maintained their promotion bid as Joe Whale (74no) and Ben Busby (5-52) shone against Askham Bryan II.

In division four, Selby II earned a tie in a frantic finish at Malton & Old Malton who endured two run outs in the final over, including top scorer Thiagu off the last delivery of the game. Five members of the Smart family – dad Stuart, sons Dan and James and 16-year-old twins Sarah and Becky, played for Selby. Eighteen-year-old Dan hit 69 and took 3-18.

Burn II show no signs of weakening at the top, Ray Adamson thumping 87 against Tadcaster Magnet.


Press Performance of the Week

DAN LITTLEWOOD for his punishing 126 not out for Acomb against Bishopthorpe II in division three.