OVINGTON remained on course to win their first HPH York Vale Cricket League title since 1998 by narrowly beating rivals Stockton & Hopgrove.

The nine-run victory leaves them 43 points clear with five games remaining with their August 24 visit to nearest rivals Bishopthorpe guaranteed to have a huge bearing of the destiny of the division one crown.

Tom Ashby hit 53 as the Knavesmire side totalled a below-par 152-8, Rich Grimes taking 4-29. But they pulled the game out of the fire with a superb bowling performance headed by Barry Steel’s figures of 12-4-23-3.

Bishopthorpe look the only side capable of halting Ovington’s charge after getting out of trouble to defeat Kelfield.

The Bishops were 86-7 against Kelfield but young Andrew Seager (35) pushed them on to 160 and then took 4-37 with his off-spin. With Scott Reeves (4-33) seeing off the tail, Kelfield were bowled out for 146, Matt Walker top-scoring with 51.

Askham Bryan finally broke their duck in the top flight with victory at Hemingbrough.

It was their first win in 13 attempts after gaining promotion last season but they are still rooted to the foot of the table.

Askham lost their top three for only five runs but Dan Wheeler got them to 147-9 and that was enough as Hemingbrough’s batsmen also struggled on a slow, tricky, wicket. Paul Thornton (4-21) struck in the first over and Hemingbrough slid to 29-5 before being bowled out for 93.

Leigh Adamson struck 14 boundaries and four sixes in his 107, sharing a second-wicket stand of 180 with Norman Elliott (72) as Burn posted a match-winning 249-6 against North Cave.

Hirst Courtney’s Phil Alford was trapped lbw for 100 in the 39th over as his side were closing down on Fulfordgate’s 193-6. Gate’s total was boosted by Max Henderson’s unbeaten 64 as they recovered from 87-5 to post a score which was just enough to secure a seven-run victory.

Thixendale maintained the leadership of division two with a tight win against Ben Johnson with two balls to spare, James Wigby being the difference with 46 not out and 3-39.

Eight-man Westow recovered from 14-4 to 141-7 with a 114-run partnership between Mark Earle (70) and Ali Fothergill (41no), but North Duffield won thanks to Paul Johnson’s 70.

After bowling Wheldrake out for 100, York RI slumped to 34-4 before Phil Holland (53no) steered them to a four-wicket win.

Acomb were skittled for 38 – the league’s lowest total of the season – by Copmanthorpe in division three, Roy Atkinson helping himself to 5-18.

In-form Stillingfleet moved into promotion contention after amassing 287-5 against Ovington II. They thrashed 102 off the last ten overs, Pete Corfield spanking an unbeaten 53 from 29 deliveries after Mike Nielson top-scored with 68.

Mark Fairey (119no) scored his second century of the season as Yapham crushed Burn II in division five, junior Will Cardy taking 5-13 as Burn perished at 77.

Des Healey struck 68 from 68 balls to see Stamford Bridge to victory against Askham Bryan II.

Press performance of the week

Mark Fairey (119no) ensured Yapham had a runaway win against Burn II in division four.