SHAUN Arnold was a last-ditch hat-trick hero as division one high-fliers North Duffield scraped through the first round of the HPH York Vale Cricket League's HPH Cup.

Division two side Copmanthorpe needed six runs from the final over with four wickets in hand and then five runs from the last five balls, to secure a shock victory.

But Arnold then took a wicket and, after his next delivery went for two runs, claimed a hat-trick with the final three balls of the innings to leave North Duffield victors by two runs.

North Duffield had earlier relied heavily on Lee Wild (89no) in reaching 141 all out, with John Hughes being the pick of the Cop attack with 3-16.

Charles Mitton (44) and Martin Turner (39) shared a 66-run partnership to take Copmanthorpe to the brink of victory, but Arnold made sure all that was in vain.

Division one outfit Westow came undone against Thixendale. Joe Green took 4-25 for Thixendale which kept Westow to 116 all out. Ben Shaw then guided Thixendale home with an unbeaten 37. Mark Earle took 5-26 in defeat.

A run fest at Stillingfleet saw the hosts post a respectable 190-6, Chris Walker smacking 75no. But Wheldrake's Anthony Carter cracked an undefeated 120 to gain victory by seven wickets with seven overs to spare.

Australians Chris Morres (60) and Ryan Bushall (43) saw Bishopthorpe to 187-6, which proved far too much for Askham Bryan YPO as Danny Williams took 3-12 in a 55-run win.

Drax, the holders of the cup, which is for the league's top 16 teams, began their defence by beating Fulfordgate.

Rich Ounsley hit a rapid 64 and Keith Powell 57 in Drax's 198-6. Fulfordgate could only muster 142-7 in reply.

Kelfield could not get the ball away against Stockton and Hopgrove. Andy Charlton hit 42 of their 127 total but Steve Fraser remained throughout Stockton's reply to steer his side to a five-wicket win.

Burn totalled 178-6 against British Sugar, Steve Robottom top scoring with 55. Steve Bellerby (41) was the only Sugar bat to respond as his side collapsed to 105 all out.

Updated: 10:41 Thursday, May 19, 2005