THE battle for the HPH York Vale Cricket League title is shaping up to be a three-horse race between Bishopthorpe, Copmanthorpe and Stockton & Hopgrove.

The Bishops maintained top spot by winning at Clifton Alliance where Tom Eckhart’s 4-16 was instrumental in bowling the home side out for 107.

Copmanthorpe kept up the pressure with a five-wicket win at Wheldrake who were bowled out for 81 – Chris Hall, Adam Mosley and Darren Hughes taking three wickets each.

Stockton & Hopgrove were the dominant force at Hemingbrough, who made just 108, Rich Grimes taking 4-14 in 8.5 overs. Stockton tottered to 52-5 in reply before John Barrett (39no) saw them home.

Burn’s Adam Prescott was the scourge of Ben Johnson with both bat and ball. He came in at 68-4 to hit 84 not out to help his side to 211-9 before taking 3-26 as the printers were shot out for 96.

Despite the consistent Barry Shepherdson’s 54, Barmby Moor lost at North Cave, who recovered from 74-4 to win thanks to an unbroken stand of 91 between John Tomlinson (64no) and John Backhouse (39no). Earlier, Rob Page took 6-55 for Cave.

Ovington put a nightmare few days behind them to thrash Westow and maintain their leadership of division two.

With the league ruling their Little Knavesmire ground dangerous after uncompleted mid-season work by City of York Council, Ovington have to play their home games elsewhere until further notice.

Their bowlers, Craig Nicholl (5-32) certainly found the University of York ground to their liking as nine-man Westow were routed for just 49.

On a sun-kissed day which generally favoured batsmen, Hirst Courtney’s Chris Carden’s 7-34 against Kelfield in division two bucked the trend.

A determined 70 not out by Neil Atkinson saw Kelfield to 129 and teenager Jacob Atkinson’s 5-41 had Hirst at 42-5, but a stand of 91 between Phil Alford (46no) and Craig Lawson (44no) earned victory.

Stuart Craven (74no) was Woodhouse Grange’s matchwinner against Fulfordgate in a game which featured good performances from young players.

Grange wicketkeeper-batsman Ashley Cattle (37) took three catches while Scott Shepherd (34) produced a late spell of 3-21 to earn a 16-run win. Liam Hancey top-scored for Gate with 33.

University of York Staff topped 200 for the first time this season but were denied by Dave Sladen’s unbeaten 78 for Askham Bryan.

Thorpe Willoughby triumphed in division three’s match of the day to take over at the top from York RI.

Needing 190 to win, RI slumped to 33-4 thanks to a great spell by Lewis Smith (4-22) but fought back with Phil Holand’s 71, only to fall 26 runs short.

Goole and Thixendale tied, Goole losing two wickets in the final over as they failed to overhaul Thixen-dale’s 179-5, which was inspired by Geoff Room’s unbeaten 80.

Matt Beevers made the highest score of the day with 115 not out as Melbourne overcame Malton & Old Malton. Wayne Livsey was another ton-up man, his 103 seeing Stillingfleet crush Welton & Brough.

Press performance of the week

CHRIS Carden’s 7-34 for Hirst Courtney against Kelfield in division two represents one of the best bowling performances of the season.