Wide open race for HPH York Vale League title after top two lose (From York Press)

Wide open race for HPH York Vale League title after top two lose

10:29am Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Sport By Martin Jarred

THE race for the HPH York Vale Cricket League division one title has been blown wide open.

The top two teams, Bishopthorpe and North Cave both lost allowing Hemingbrough and Ovington to get into the mix with three weeks of the season remaining. Just nine points separate the four sides.

Leaders Bishopthorpe missed an opportunity to open up a gap at the top when they fell one run short of Hirst Courtney’s target of 181.

Hirst openers Nigel Goddard (49) and Phil Alford (36) put on 97 in just over 26 overs to provide the bedrock of their innings before Jake Wild upped the scoring rate hitting an unbeaten 41 from 33 balls.

Bishopthorpe’s reply started badly as they slumped to 45-3, but a 66-run partnership between Scott Reeves (39) and Danny Williams (30) put them back on track before Ben Smith (34no) and Graham Davies (20) set up a thrilling finish with a 53-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

Going into the final over in near darkness, nine were needed for victory but bowler Mark Alford kept his nerve to earn Hirst victory.

Second-placed North Cave lost at home to Copmanthorpe with an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 85 between Sunny Sharma (58no) and Martin Hillyard (25no) proving decisive.

Hemingbrough moved into contention by thrashing a very young Clifton Alliance side by ten wickets. Rob Scarr took 5-4 as the York side were shot out for 57.

Barry Steel followed last week’s unbeaten century with an undefeated 95 and 3-29 against Wheldrake as Ovington boosted their title credentials. Matt Mellor shone in defeat for Wheldrake with 5-38.

Leigh Adamson hit 70 not out and Jamie Bingle took 5-50 as Burn beat Stockton & Hopgrove.

Division two leaders Fulfordgate lost their unbeaten record, losing by seven wickets at Kelfield, where they found the seam and swing bowling of brothers Matt Walker (5-26) and Chris Walker (3-46) too hot to handle.

Despite 83 from Martin Reynolds, Ben Johnson’s promotion hopes received a jolt as they were beaten at improving Westow. Askham Bryan moved into second spot, Parag Mohite’s 81 sweeping his side past York RI’s 128-9 for the loss of eight wickets.

Division three’s match of the day lived up to its top billing with leaders Heworth beating second-placed North Duffield with a scrambled single off the last ball. Greg Sykes’ 70 proved the difference for Heworth.

Opener Paul Newton (57no) played a successful anchor role as promotion hopefuls Copmanthorpe II’s 148-8 was just enough to stave off Welton & Brough.

Despite an opening stand of 106 by Elliott Newby (57) and Charlie Wilson (36), division four pace-setters Pocklington were beaten by a Goole side who have moved into promotion contention, particularly as Burn II were surprisingly vanquished by Acomb .

Yapham took a step closer to the division five title by beating Hemingbrough II, who, at 92-2 at drinks, were threatening to chase down the village side’s 182-7. But the introduction of Carl Marsden (4-32) turned the tide for Yapham.