ONLY one Horwath Pulleyn Heselton York Vale Cricket League game survived in division four and it turned out to be a remarkable affair.

Wistow lost their unbeaten record against Huntington who made a familiar bad start at 9-2. But Dean Walton and Darren Willis took the game by the scruff of the neck and put on 212 for the third wicket.

Walton smashed 18 sixes, including 34 from one over in a career best 161. Wistow were never quite up to the required run rate but still managed to take five batting points, as their innings closed at 175-8.

Tony Kerrison and his son, David, went on another run spree in the first division.

The Stockton and Hopgrove openers put on 120 against Hemingbrough to help their side total 205-6. Kerrison senior, aged 61, had scored 76 in another big partnership against Drax the previous week.

Adam Jackson had visiting Hemingbrough on the run removing four of the top five with only 19 on the board and Stockton ran out comfortable winners to take over the leadership of the first division.

Despite the heavy overnight rain groundsmen managed to create some playable pitchess that produce some excellent games.

Burn went joint second in division one after inflicting a second successive defeat on York in a game dominated by David Prime. Sean Hunter and Graham Macfall both took four wickets for York but Prime, with valuable assistance from Diccon Edwards, put on 68 for the fourth wicket which helped Burn to 146. Prime (6-33) and Dave Queenan (3-36) kept York under the cosh.

Norwich Union scored at over five an over to reach 156 against Ovington in a game reduced to 30 overs a side. Matt Couttie (50) and Brian Garnett (36) put on 58 for the third wicket against the excellent bowling of Dave Brummitt and David Whittle.

Ovington's innings was destroyed by a hat-trick from Gawaine Hogg who bowled NU to victory in tandem with Gavin Faulkner.

Stamford Bridge were pottering along with Brian Aconley shoring up the innings with a patient half century against York Post Office but AW Day's 88no helped Bridge post the day's best score of 251-6. The Postmen gave it a good shot reaching 152 with Andy Sturdy recording a half century.

Westow retained their 100% record in the second division beating Copmanthorpe in an absorbing game.

Dave Purdy and Roy Atkinson made slow progress in damp conditions for Cop and their attempts to accelerate the scoring was thwarted by Mark Earle's 6-33 but were aided by low cloud and mist, which restricted visibility to the boundary ropes.

The weather improved after tea and the game was evenly balanced at 57-3. Colin Smallwood and Dave Midgley then put on 84 but a late flurry of wickets increased the pressure. One ball hit the stumps, failed to dislodge the bails and scooted for four as Westow crept home in the near dark with one over to spare.

Devastating bowling from Heworth's M Priest and G Morritt skittled Clifton Alliance for 44 but the visitors bowling also threatened as Heworth lost cheap wickets. But skipper Anton Rodgers steered his side home.

Nigel French opened up for Thixendale at British Sugar with a half century which included nine fours and 26 from two overs enabling the visitors to post 121 on a wet ground. Sugar were well in contention at 75-2 but panic set in with four run outs and they lost by seven runs.

Escrick Park have a slender lead from Hirst United at the top of division three, both teams having a 100% record.

After Escrick skipper Richard Sherwood had removed both Stillingfleet's openers, Ed Bindless ran through the innings as Escrick dismissed their opponents for 68. John Reynolds wasted little time in steering Park to a nine wicket win.

Chris Parker anchored Askham Bryan's innings with 28 but got little support from his depleted side who fell for 86. Tony Hinch and Robert Cole both reached 22 for Hirst who clinched the game when Philip Alford, who also finished on 22, hit the winning runs with a massive six.

A youthful Woodhouse Grange were no match for the experienced Kelfield side, losing by 10 wickets. Pete Buck took 4-17.

At Tollerton, visitors Melbourne recovered well from 8-2 to reach 142-8. Tim Stephenson (44) and Ian Mouncer (60) providing the runs in a third wicket partnership of 106.

Tollerton Outlaws started well with Andy Charlton in sparkling form but late bowling exchanges saw Mouncer (5-37) and Richard Medley (3-24) open up the game to leave the hosts precariously placed at 111-8. Gary Raper and 14-year-old Chris Mitchell came to the rescue with the winning runs coming with nine balls to spare.

York moved into second place in division five after a close win at previously unbeaten Pocklington. Martin Anderson and Michael Murray provided the bulk of their 135-7. York's experienced top order of Pervez Akhtar, Chris Houseman and Peter Dobson gave them the ideal start but late wickets from Graham Forsdyke and John Murray kept the game alive and York won with just three balls to spare.

Woodhouse Grange gained their first win of the season against Wheldrake in a game which saw the elder statesmen take pride of place. Wheldrake were dismissed for 103. Barry Johnson took 4-47 from 19 overs and well supported by Ashley King. Ian Henderson and P Gilbank lead Grange home.

Updated: 15:02 Thursday, May 23, 2002