A SUPERB all-round performance from AJ Clarke thrust Melbourne into the division three promotion race in the Foss Evening Cricket League.

Melbourne’s match against Heworth Colts was one of the few to beat the weather and they took full advantage. The East Yorkshire side’s recent potency with the ball continued as Clarke took 5-2 from his four overs to shoot Heworth’s youngsters out for 66, despite the best efforts of Will Rymer who made 32.

Clarke then brandished the willow to the tune of an unbeaten 44 as Melbourne cruised home by nine wickets in only eight overs.

The victory moved them to within a point of the top two, Dunnington Academy and Ovington, whose head-to-head at Common Road was rained off.

Retreat II picked up a win against Askham Bryan to put leave opponents floundering at the bottom of the table. Mark Grewer’s 36 led Askham to 95-5 in 30 overs before Salman Syed (31) and Z Ahmed (29) were able to see The Retreat over the line with three wickets and as many overs to spare.

Only one match survived the weather in division one, with Stamford Bridge and hosts Heworth playing out a tie. Will Parker (27) and Mark Holmes (25) led Bridge to 98-4 in 18 overs before Heworth’s Lee Bradshaw (25) top-scored for his side as they made 98-5 in response.

Londesborough Park took advantage of their game at Aviva by claiming a victory that takes them to the top of division two, leapfrogging long-term leaders Stockton & Hopgrove.

Steve Dawson made 28 in Park’s 102-6 before Darren Moody’s 3-6 saw Aviva bowled out 19 runs short of their victory target.