FULFORDGATE have blown the race for the HPH York Vale Cricket League division one title wide apart after claiming a second successve major scalp.

They ended Stockton & Hopgrove’s unbeaten record just seven days after defeating champions North Cave.

In-form Max Henderson (4-31) grabbed his fourth successive four-wicket haul to have Stockton reeling at 84-9 and only a dogged 38 by Rich Kerrison and some late hitting by Matt Bradshaw (29) saw them to 129. Gate knocked the runs off with three wickets and two overs to spare.

Just a point behind S&H are Ovington who inflicted a 100-run defeat on North Cave. Barry Steel hit a chanceless 101 not out, reaching his century from the final ball of Ovington’s 187-6. Cave were then shot out for 87, Neil Metcalfe taking 4-19.

Bishopthorpe moved into third place after crushing Hirst Courtney by 145 runs. Solid batting by Scott Clapham (45), Colin Markham (44) and Ian Holmes (35no) enabled Bish to make 212-7. Holmes then ran through the early Hirst card and finished with figures of 11.5-4-18-6.

Chris Calvert was influential in Burn’s 45-run win against Hemingbrough, top-scoring with 42 after Mike Pounder (4-36) took out Burn’s top four with less than 50 on the board. Chasing 147, Hemingbrough’s batting failed against Matt Smith (4-25), while Calvert and Jamie Bingle shared the remaining wickets.

Phil Smith’s watchful 75 not out and an explosive 52 from just 30 balls by Matt Walker saw Kelfield overhaul Askham Bryan’s 211 all out with six wickets to spare. Dave Sladen finished unbeaten on 52 in Askham’s innings, Chris Walker taking 5-43.

Second division leaders North Duffield are the only side left with an unbeaten record, nearest rivals Clifton Alliance being their latest victims. Duffield’s miserly four-man attack all got wickets to restrict Alliance to 104-8 before Steve Miller (40) saw Duffield to an eight-wicket win.

A battling 74 by Joel Johnson could not stop Heworth from losing at York RI, whose improved batting display was led by Divoyd Smith (53).

Jamie Middleton hit the winning runs from the final ball as Selby pipped bottom club Thorpe Willoughby in a thriller.

Melbourne strengthened their position at the top of division three by beating Copmanthorpe by seven wickets. Brian Underwood (52no) scored his maiden half-century and conceded just seven runs from his nine overs as Cop had to settle for 127-3.

Joe Whale was last man out for 79 as Ovington II were bowled out for 133 by Acomb, who were guided to victory by Daniel Littlewood (49no).

Seventeen-year-old Dunnington bowler Josh Archer pulled off the remarkable feat of five wickets in five balls to rock Burton Salmon in division four.

He wrapped up the innings in sensational style to finish with 6-16 from eight overs as Salmon were bowled out for 113 after being on course for a substantial total. Dunnington won by four wickets to send Salmon to the bottom.

Perwez Akhter’s 5-24 earned Heworth II victory against Bishopthorpe II to leapfrog Salmon.


Press performance of the week

No contest. Josh Archer’s 6-16 for Dunnington against Burton Salmon included five wickets in five balls.