THE Foss Evening Cricket League saw a historic first as division one leaders Woodhouse Grange and Osbaldwick agreed to play a minimum of eight-a-side match to avoid a cancelled match.

An intriguing encounter ensued as Grange came out on top by one run in a game where 279 runs were posted.

Grange scored 140-5 with Mike Hattee (30), debutant Harry Middleton (30) and Scott Shepherd (28) scoring the bulk of the runs.

Sam Thompson (34), Drew Horner (32) and David Herd (30) then ran the champions close, but not close enough.

On the other end of the scale, in division three Aviva Vikings conceded their match to Bishop Wilton citing travelling difficulties.

That has led the committee to begin a review of how the league should be organised in future to reduce the risk of cancellations.

Elsewhere in division one, Londesborough Park thrashed Dunnington at Common Road. Greg Drewery (60no) and debutant Rob Hildreth (21no) helped Park recover from five down to register 122-5.

Former skipper Tom Williamson then picked up 3-25 to roll the hosts for just 50.

Melbourne showed fighting spirit against Stamford Bridge, but the hosts won an enthralling game by two wickets.

Alex Romaniw had a fine all-round game for Melbourne with 57 not out and 4-16, and he was supported by Ian Kirby (30no) as Melbourne made 117-1.

Romaniw’s burst reduced Bridge to 15-5 in reply, but Rob Gilyeat (43) and Kev Murphy (32) recovered the situation and former Melbourne player Natty Burge cracked a boundary to seal victory with four balls to spare.

Division two leaders North Dalton enjoyed a 66-run victory over The Retreat.

Rob Bradley hit an unbeaten 48 in Dalton’s 117-5. Salman Syed hit 27 not out, but Retreat were bowled out for 51, with Si Walgate taking 3-12.

Dunnington Academy strengthened their promotion push thanks to an all-round effort from Johnny Archer.

Archer hit 47 in Dunnington’s 134-7 with support from Jonny Andrew (36). Archer then picked up three wickets as Bishopthorpe were bowled out for 91, skipper Scott Clapham (23) the sole shining light.

Pocklington are snapping at the heels of the top two after beating Stockton & Hopgrove, who posted 121-6 with T Audsley making 58 not out as Pock skipper Freddie Parry took 2-19.

However, Pocklington knocked the runs off in just 73 balls as Andy Anderson (57) and Neal Jackson (27no) led the reply.

Yapham skipper Jack Holman hit 76 in a 280-run match at Thixendale.

Yapham made 151-6 with Martin Pearson (42) giving his captain support. J Smith (29) top-scored for Thixendale as a number of batsmen got a start in making 130-6.

Bubwith continued their unbeaten run in division three, maintaining a three-point cushion at the top with an 88-run win over bottom side Heworth Nomads.

D Scott (53no), Richard Readman (45) and Si Houlder (25) boosted Bubwith to 159-4. The Nomads then crawled to 71-7 as G Hoggburn made 37 not out.

Ovington consolidated their place in the promotion slots thanks to Craig Nichol’s all-round show. His 3-7 helped to bundle out The Retreat II for 65, Zaheer Ahmed the only batsmen to resist with 36.

Nichol then made 35 and was supported by Pete Kelly (27no) as the Knavesmire side took only 49 balls to chase their target.

Tang Hall Tigers followed up their maiden win last week with another against Heworth Colts.

In the highest aggregate match of the evening, with 306 runs clocked up, the Tigers made 170-2 with the Colts replying with 136-6.