Burythorpe, close winners over Stamford Bridge, took advantage of York's first defeat to lead division one of the Horwarth Pulleyn-Heselton York Vale League, writes John Parkin.

Runs were always at a premium at Burythorpe with Andy Milner and Mark Fairweather giving very little away as Stamford Bridge struggled to 109-7.

Alan Day produced a superb spell returning 4-36 as Burythorpe also struggled, but it was Milner's day as he followed up his five-wicket haul with a match-winning unbeaten 71.

Heworth were kept well in check at Linnet Park by the Burn openers, aided by sharp fielding resulting in the run-out of Mal Caddie when looking set. This sparked a flurry of wickets. Ashley Abbott routed the middle order with four for 31 as Heworth perished for 101.

Burn had no problems as Richard Walker (31) and Dillon Edwards, unbeaten on 61, powered them to a nine-wicket win.

Stockton and Hopgrove found runs hard to come by on a slow wicket against a strong York attack. Rich Carroll took three for 12 against his old team.

The Villagers' total of 93 looked vulnerable but York lost both openers with just eight runs on the board. More dismay followed as for the second successive week James Wigby seized seven wickets in Stockton's five-run win.

An outstanding bowling display by the Ovington attack dismissed Bishopthorpe for 73. Ian Holmes took five for 12, backed by David Whittle's 2-9.

The Ovington reply was once again dominated by John Sharples, who hit 60 not out in a seven-wicket triumph.

In division two Mike Hamshere posted a personal best and the season's prime display to date with nine for 34 as York Post Office beat Thixendale by 47 runs.

Batting first, father and son Ray and Martin Baggaley put on 93 for the first wicket for the Postmen. Ray eventually fell for 85 as they reached 158 for two. Hamshere's accuracy proved too much with only Graham Lyndsey and Dean Tyler making any progress.

Thorpe Willoughby are the new leaders following their third straight win at Wheldrake.

Thorpe made steady progress with Steve Merritt reaching 39. A valuable 30 from Granville North and chirpy 26 from Dave Watson took them to 155 against Nigel Exton's three for 41.

Mike Davis and Simon Kidby gave Wheldrake a firm start with an opening partnership of 54 but the innings fell away to Watson and Dave Taylor, whose seven for 33 wrapped up the game.

Keith Pepper and Bob Little held the Fulfordgate innings together at Kelfield where they reached a respectable 147 for nine. Martin Rhodes, bowling throughout, took five for 84. The Kelfield innings never got going against Paul Oldfield (3-34) and Steve Bygott (6-27) with the 'Gate winning by 86 runs.

Escrick Park have a narrow lead in division three from Stillingfleet, who have the league's only 100 per cent record. The Park held visitors Woodhouse Grange to 142 for seven. Mark Burton (42) and Neil Thomson (39 no) were the top scorers.

The Park gauged their reply well, Mal Neary's solid 29 followed by a top-scoring 76 from James Baughan.

Stillingfleet's Richard Hall unleashed his modified bowling action with his first competitive bowl for two years and Ben Johnson's struggled against him. He took seven for 12 from ten overs as the Printers fell for 95. Rob Murray hit a steady 60 as 'Fleet sailed home.

David Beilby carried his bat for 79 to help North Duffield to 181 for seven against Askham Bryan, Mark Grewer taking five for 41.

Dave Milner shored up the middle of the Askham reply with 42 after Trevor Brittain had taken the first three wickets. Roy Bramley bowled Duffield to a comfortable win with three for five from six overs.

The University Staff side topped the 200 mark for the loss of just three wickets for the second successive week as they powered their way to the top of division four.

Jim Watt, making a return to cricket after four years away, reached 110 to put on 145 with Mark Dusheiko (57). Bob Wrigglesworth and Danny Hennesey gave Drax a good start with 68 but the innings fell away as Pete O'Brien and Dusheiko applied the brakes with three wickets each, the Staff side winning comfortably.

Tollerton toppled Burton Salmon from top spot in spectacular style, dismissing them for just 49.

Adrian Davies was the only Burton batsman to reach double figures against Tony Raper and Pete Clark. Simon Warner whipped out three of the top four Tollerton batsmen but could not budge Andrew Clark-son whose 28 not out saw the visitors win by seven wickets.

Stockton and Hopgrove opening bowler Mick Jay took full advantage of a drying wicket to reduce Wheldrake to 17 for three by bowling the top three. They were eventually out for 103.

Then an unbeaten half century from skipper Nigel Collinson and 32 from Mick Anderson eased Stockton to the top of division five.

The day's highest score went to York who reached 209 at Selby, where Chris Houseman led the run riot with 79 before retiring. Nadim Sadiq added 48.

The York bowlers contained too many aces for Selby with only Jeffrey Knight and skipper Andy Usher in double figures. Jamal Hussain and Pervez Akhtar both took three wickets apiece for York.

Updated: 12:32 Thursday, May 24, 2001