YORK'S defeat of leaders Ovington has opened up the race for the Horwath Pulleyn Heselton York Vale League first division title.

Batting first on an excellent Knavesmire wicket, York opener Kevin Mendham hit a magnificent 133 in the searing heat, crafting runs to all parts of the ground and punishing the odd stray ball with towering sixes.

Skipper Mendham was last man out after adding 35 for the last wicket with 14-year-old Brendan Ledgeway which proved a vital contribution to York's win. Sam Dodds took 5-82 and Ian Holmes 3-43.

Ovington response was always on track but Sean Hunter's accurate bowling and Graham Macfall's 6-45 made runs hard to come by. David Whittle made an excellent half-century but the end came when Andy Holmes was building a threatening innings until he was taken at mid-wicket from a skier.

Norwich Union have taken over at the top by one point and makes this weekend's clash with Ovington vital.

Union made 162-6 at Bishopthorpe where Simon Morgan hit 76 after being dropped early on.

The accuracy of the NU attack showed up when eight of the wickets to fall were clean bowled, Keith Lawrence, Kyle Hogg and Cook each taking three.

Hosts Burn beat York Post Office by 16 runs with David Prime hitting 69 in his side's 189-7. Andy Sturdy, Ray Baggaley and Glynn Botterill all made 30-plus for Post Office but the innings closed on 173-4.

Hemingbrough came close to their first win of the season despite having to defend a lowly 96 at Stamford Bridge, whose Brian Aconley took 6-21.

Andy Rowley and Richard Seels soon made inroads as Bridge slipped to 10-3. Aconley and Andy Craven repaired the damage but the game was evenly balanced at 51-6. Mark Allitt took two quick wickets but the last pairing of D Craven and G Watson inched their way to victory.

Stockton & Hopgrove limped to 108-9 at tea against Drax, who were taken to victory by third wicket pair Scott Simm and Kevin Thomas.

Updated: 08:14 Thursday, August 01, 2002