THE HPH York Vale Cricket League representative side made a victorious return to action in their first game in 20 years.

They beat the York Conference XI by 56 runs at Hull Zingari’s ground.

The match was the first in a triangular tournament, which also features the York & District Senior League, to help mark the Vale League’s 80th anniversary.

In their first match since the 1990s, the Vale boys amassed 216-8 in their 40 overs before bowling out the Conference for 153 for a comprehensive win.

Opener Mike Stellings (North Cave) struck a dozen boundaries in a top score of 58, Giles Smith (Stockton & Hopgrove) blasted 23 off 14 deliveries and James Windeatt (North Cave) maintained the momentum with 47 at nearly a run a ball.

The late middle order added valuable runs to post a good score, Rob Scattergood (Walkington) being the Conference’s most successful bowler with 3-47.

The Conference advanced to 30 before losing opener M Staves, who was bowled by Craig Nicoll (Ovington) and after that wickets fell at regular intervals.

Tom Walgate (North Dalton) did lead a counterattack with 54 but lacked support at the other end as all the Vale bowlers got among the wickets, Stellings taking out the middle order with 3-31 from seven overs while Barry Steel (Ovington) bowled seven accurate overs to turn the screw.

Windeatt claimed the last two wickets, including last man out Walgate, as the Vale side sped to victory.

The Conference will play the Senior League on Saturday with the final game of the series between the Vale League and the Senior League being staged at Hemingbrough on September 8.