BROTHERS Richard and Dave Kerrison laid the platform for Stockton & Hopgrove’s crushing HPH Cup preliminary round win against Stillingfleet whose bowlers paid the price for dropping the ball too short.

Skipper Richard made 88 and his sibling 40 in an opening partnership of 110 as Stockton pushed on to 236-8 at the interval. Stillingfleet were never in the chase, being restricted to 138-8, Rich Grimes taking 5-42 and Chris Warner striking 36 for Fleet.

Despite a fine 76 from Jamie Agnew, Ben Johnson lost by four wickets to Melbourne. Agnew struck four sixes in his innings but miserly bowling by Harry Collins, who had figures of 7-5-5-1, supported by two wickets each for Malcolm Harrison and Ollie Steels restricted BJs to 148-6.

Collins then hit a crucial 30 not out to guide Melbourne home after Ollie Steels (34) and Ian Kirby (34) had done the early donkey work. Paul Anderson bowled an excellent 10 over spell for his 3-24.

Westow conceded against Ovington and will not be permitted to play in the plate competition, the Guy Mitchell Cup.

YOUNG bowlers Charlie Buckley and Dominic Kirby kept cool heads as Ovington II won by five wickets at Askham Bryan II in the preliminary round of the Scothern Construction Cup.

Balakumar Varatharjan made 33 for Askham who were pegged back by 13-year-old leg spinner Buckley (3-30) and fellow teen Kirby who showed admirable control with 2-17 from 10 overs.

Askham were bowled out for 135, Ovington reaching their target with more than 10 overs to spare after Joe Whale’s crisp 54.