BURN laid down a marker on the opening day of the HPH York Vale Cricket League season by beating last year’s runners-up, Ovington, by four wickets at Linnet Park.

Tom Cookson (37) cleared the boundary several times for the visitors before falling to seamer Matty Leetham. Contributions from Craig Nicoll (22), Joe Whale (35) and Stefan Littlewood (32) pushed Ovington beyond 200, Matthew Smith taking (4-69).

Barry Steele (3-24) removed three of Burn’s top five but Ed Clarke (89 not out) chased down the required total with support from Ashley Abbott (37no).

A knock of 90 off 81 balls from Kelfield debutant Jamie Wheeler took his new team to 198-7 against Wheldrake.

The former Clifton Alliance and Selby batsman struck 15 boundaries and a six before being brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Ben Challis, one-handed over his head.

After Martin Lambert (51) retired with a back injury and Anthony Carter (41) was dismissed, Wheldrake lost wickets to Craig Lawson (5-48) and slid from 125-2 to 171 all out.

Last season’s leading run scorer, Parag Mohite, continued where he left off as Askham Bryan made a winning return to the top flight against Ben Johnson. He notched 84 in a total of 229, Gary Walker (4-37) starring for the printers.

AJ Clarke hit a rapid 46 for BJ, but Mark Grewer picked up 4-33 before Mohite ended a good last-wicket stand by bowling Steve Elsworth for 44 in the final over.

Promoted Clifton Alliance won at Melbourne whose pre-season rallying call for players enabled them to field a full 11. Ali Wray (51) top scored in Alliance’s 171-3 on a slow pitch. The home side struggled to 37-3 after 15 overs but Oliver Steels (54) added 50 with Scott Coupland (22no) to repair some of the damage before falling 42 runs short at 129-7.

Westow romped to a nine-wicket win against Stockton & Hopgrove, who were swept out for a mere 78, Jacob Stephenson doing most of the damage with 4-7 in seven overs.

A see-saw division two battle between Malton & Old Malton and Hemingbrough ended in a tie as both sides scored 176.

Tom Barker (56) scored a maiden fifty for Malt, while half-centuries by Johnny Cockerill and Sean Morris put Brough in charge. Grant Stephens removed them both on his way to 6-43 to set up a tight finish, the final wicket to fall being a run-out in the 38th over.

Thorpe Willoughby’s return to division two saw them lose by one wicket with two balls remaining against Ovington II, whose skipper Dick Buckley survived a late run-out scare to see his side home.

Hirst Courtney, chasing 162, beat Fulfordgate in the 39th over. Fulfordgate only lost two wickets as openers Alan Baldock (65) and Anthony Godley (59) put on 138. Alex Barraclough’s 76 was the backbone of the Hirst’s winning reply.

A blistering 64, which included eight sixes, from Henry Harrison and a last-wicket stand of 83 from Richard Walker (50no) and Mike England (32no) earned Thixendale an easy win against South Cave & Brantingham.

Maiden centuries by Rob Ireland (112no) and Mike Dale set up Bishopthorpe’s win against a young Selby side in division three. Opener Ireland batted throughout, his century coming off exactly 100 balls. He put on 182 for the second wicket with Dale, who raced to his ton just off 65 deliveries.

Jonny Lister (108) added 163 for the fourth wicket with Dan Croft (66) as Pocklington made a match-winning 283-7 against Stamford Bridge II. Despite 101 from senior player Mike Millington, Dunnington’s youngsters lost to Acomb.

Press Performance of the Week: Although four centuries were scored in division three, Jamie Wheeler enjoyed a dream debut for Kelfield in division one with his match-winning 90 against Wheldrake.