DIVISION one leaders Askham Bryan YPO came unstuck against Drax in the HPH York Vale Cricket league.

They crashed by 24 runs after Drax, batting first, recovered from 32-3 when James Brook (29) joined Kevin Thomas (98) at the crease to take the final total 195-7. Consistent Askham bowler Mike Hamshere took 5-76.

Askham's Roy Baggaley (42) and Pete Wood (33) were in good touch but despite late order runs from Dave Botterill (34no), Askham were always behind the clock as Paul Vickers, Dave Brinded and Paul Smith all took two wickets each for Drax.

Tollerton Outlaws' bad run ended at Bishopthorpe where they put up a solid performance, Andy Carrick top scoring with 34.

Spinner Gerry Boxall stopped the run flow by taking 4-28 and Bishopthorpe were set a target of 133 for victory. They set off well but a superb diving catch by Dan Atkinson set up the Tollerton bowlers for action. Paul Raper (6-33) and brother Tony Raper (3-56) bowled through as Bishopthorpe fell 34 runs short.

North Duffield contained the Stockton and Hopgrove batsmen to the tune of 102-8 with Lee Wild taking 3-20. Dave Beilby then carried his bat for 40no as Duffield won by six wickets despite Nigel Collinson's 3-34.

Westow's struggles continued with a heavy defeat against rampant Norwich Union. Gavin Faulkner (5-48) and David Johnson (3-15) bowled Westow out for 108. It took only 17.2 overs for Union to spank the runs required, Ranedeep Banerjee top scoring with 36 while Ben Taylor took 3-26 for Westow.

Dave Prime inspired Burn to overcome Ben Johnson in division two. His 4-7 helped bowl out BJs for 128. Glenn Hunter (55) and Rob Adamson (47no) then raced Burn home by seven wickets.

Ovington were bowled out for 119 against Copmanthorpe, whose Darren Hughes (3-40) and Andy Northfield (3-13) did the damage. Despite Ovington's low score, their bowlers Graham Haigh (4-23) and Barry Steel (3-11) helped bowl out a misfiring Copmanthorpe for just 100.

Kelfield could only manage 155-5 against Thixendale despite an opening stand of 89 by Pete Buck (33) and Phil Smith (41). Ade Brader took 3-18 and Thixendale youngster Richard Johnson blasted 83no to see his side home by eight wickets.

Hirst United rattled up 192-5 against Stillingfleet, Lawrence Stones being last man out on 75. Russ Stones chipped in with 40. Stillingfleet made a solid response but it was not quite enough as Kenny Winter took 4-46 to give Hirst a 21-run win.

Max Driscoll tried his best to inspire Burton Salmon against Wheldrake but it was not enough.

Les Fearn (48) and Paul Costello (45) put on 69 for the fourth Wheldrake wicket before Driscoll (6-58) and Adrian Davies (4-80) ended the innings on 159. Driscoll then smashed 86 of his side's 134 reply but Carl Van Neikirk's haul of 5-52 proved decisive in Wheldrake's 25-run win.

Division three pace setters Heworth blasted University of York Staff by six wickets. Only Staff skipper Rich Waites (73) could resist spinner Jerry Dunnington (5-22) as his side were all out for 110. Tim Outram (45) and John Bonarius (34no) guided Heworth home.

Wistow bowled out Malton and Old Malton for 73 with Mark Alford, Mick Bell and Ian Jennings taking three wickets each. Malton took five wickets in reply before the winning runs were hit in the 31st over.

Woodhouse Grange got the better of Clifton Alliance after a patient 47no from Doug Bartle and 56 from Anderson took Grange to 158-5. Alliance were always behind the run rate and despite a maiden half-century from Chris Elliott (57) they closed on 142-8.

Askham Bryan YPO bowler Pio wrapped up his side's victory over Drax with a hat-trick.

Askham made 136-6 with Andy Wood top scoring with 45no. Brian Moss took 3-16 from 12 overs for Drax who were bowled out for 89 with Dave Hughes following his knock of 39 with 6-29 from 18 overs and Pio polishing off the tail.

Updated: 11:08 Thursday, August 05, 2004