BISHOPTHORPE, bidding to become the first side to win a hat-trick of HPH Cup triumphs, made a comfortable start to the defence of their trophy in the opening round.

They beat Vale Cricket League second division side Stillingfleet by six wickets as bowler Ian Holmes continued his deadly accuracy.

He went into the match with seasonal figures of 26.4-16-25-6 from four division one games and was spot on again with a 9-5-10-4 haul as Fleet were bowled out for 99.

Stockton & Hopgrove’s Dan Fairclough was also on the money with his 6-3-8-5 including a triple-wicket maiden against Melbourne who were rolled over for just 42.

Ovington won at North Duffield by 97 runs despite the dismissal of Tom Cookson, who was given out for 25 for obstruction when distracting a Duffield bowler going for a return catch. The Knavesmire side went on to amass 270-5 thanks to a third-wicket 122 stand between Pete Kelly (92) and Barry Steel (64).

Burn openers Leigh Adamson (86) and Ray Adamson (53) put on 155 against Heworth, whose 202-9 was still more than 80 runs short. Paul Whitley hit 51 for Heworth.

Fulfordgate have improved their runs total week by week but a season’s best 200-5, led by Liam Hancey’s 74, was not enough to halt defeat against Kelfield, whose Matt Walker smashed 55 from 32 balls.

Ben Johnson won at Askham Bryan with eight balls to spare, Paul Anderson (44) and Paul Morrison (42no) making crucial contributions. Attacking knocks by Ian Hall (49) and Mark Grewer (48) saw Askham post 165-7.

Two rare centuries were posted in the Scothern Construction Cup.

Yapham’s Carl Brewer, dropped by Ovington II skipper Sam Prangnell before he reached 50, made the most of his escape by powering to 141 and sharing a decisive stand of 239 with Mark Fairey (93).

Ben Copeland’s maiden century saw Hirst Courtney to a crushing win over Selby II. Copeland (123no) and Jake Wild (87no) excelled.

Needing 279 to win, Selby openers Kevin Lund (51) and Dan Tyler (44) put on 89 but the reply fell to 155-6.

Stockton & Hopgrove II’s batsmen were pinned down as Selby II defended a modest 144. Stewart Spencer took 5-47 to give Stockton batsmen a great chance, but Selby’s bowlers, led by Mike Parsonage (4-27) kept it tight as Stockton finished short on 131-7.

Press performance of the week: YAPHAM’S Carl Brewer for his 141 against Ovington II in the Scothern Construction Cup.