FULFORDGATE finally gained their first win of the HPH York Vale Cricket League season by beating Ben Johnson on Saturday.

The printers were bowled out for 151 and Gate openers Alan Baldock (23) and Jack Le Huray (29) added 52 against an attack hampered by the first over loss of Gary Walker to injury. Dave Baldock (40) and Liam Hancy (31) then put on 67 as Fulfordgate gained only their second top flight victory since April 2014.

Bishopthorpe chased down a target of 197 in just 21 overs to complete a four-wicket win over Burn. An impressive 58 from Norman Elliott was the feature of Burn’s innings but Bishops’ opener Steve Eyre came out with all guns blazing, scoring 77 from just 38 balls. His whirlwind innings included six sixes, four of them from consecutive balls, and eight fours to set up the win.

Craig Lawson (45) and Matt Walker (46) took Kelfield to 116-3 after 23 overs against Ovington but the last seven wickets were lost for just 24 runs, Neil Metcalfe taking 5-49. Ovington got the runs in 26 overs with the main contributor being Pete Kelly (56no).

North Cave recovered from 75-5 to win a tight match against North Duffield largely thanks to Mike Stellings (51no and 4-31).

It was also close at Stockton & Hopgrove where Melbourne won with seven balls remaining. Harry Collins took 5-46 and held three catches as Stockton were bowled out for 175. Matt Beevers then hit a match-winning 60 not out.

Askham Bryan went top of division two after bowling out Ovington II for 123. For the second week running, Askham pair Adrian Stipetic (68) and Adrian Speakman (25no) put together a telling partnership as their side cruised home.

Hirst were knocked off top spot by bottom side South Cave & Brantingham who fought back from 25-4 to 191-8 thanks to skipper Oliver Pierce’s unbeaten 99. Ben Scorah then grabbed 5-19 as Cave won by 25 runs.

Westow’s Mark Earle (5-33) and Jamie Smith (3-39) reduced Heworth to 14-4. Only Lee Bradshaw (72no) saved Heworth from complete embarrassment as they closed on 101. Earle (44) was dropped in the second over and Andy Welford finished on 50 not out as Westow romped home.

Rob Beilby (60), Phil Johnson (57) and Phil Corfield (56) helped Stillingfleet amass 261-7 against Clifton Alliance who responded through Chris Elliott (69), Joe Harrison (46) and M Taylor (42no). Clifton needed ten to win off the last over from Chris Warner. It went dot, four, wicket, dot, four and finally, a scrambled bye to tie the match.

Acomb's Thomas Brown celebrated his 13th birthday in style with 6-16 off 6.4 overs in the rout of Thorpe Willoughby in division three.

Thorpe’s second team fared no better, being crushed by Heworth II, who amassed 301-6 in division three. Will Rymer, who scored a double century against Thorpe last season, smacked 121.

That knock was left in the shade by Ovington III’s newly-registered Matthew Beresford who thumped the youthful Yapham II attack for 166.

Press Performance of the Week

Thomas Brown marked his 13th birthday with 6-16 for Acomb against Thorpe Willoughby in division three