OVINGTON are the new leaders of the HPH York Vale Cricket League first division after another dramatic Saturday saw some of their rivals melt in the heat.

The Knavesmire-based side swept to a five-wicket win at Hirst Courtney where the late movement of bowlers Dave Brummitt (4-24) and Neil Metcalfe (4-52) saw the home side all out for 140.

Pete Kelly (54) led the charge as Ovington knocked the runs off in style.

Stockton & Hopgrove must have fancied their chances when North Cave only turned up with eight men, but the visitors played out of their skins to win by five wickets.

S&H’s cause was not helped when skipper Rich Kerrison (33no) had to retire with a torn calf muscle. His side were bowled out for 174 and steady batting by James Windeatt (49) and Mike Stellings (47) enabled Cave to pull off an unlikely win with ten balls to spare.

Bishopthorpe’s title hopes were dealt a blow, losing by one run at Hemingbrough. James Dougherty (58) and Matt Milburn (48) helped ’Brough make 186-9 as Ian Holmes and Andrew Seager took four wickets each.

Bish looked out of it after Colin Markham was out for 61, requiring 56 from the last six overs with only three wickets remaining, but the tail took the game down to the wire.

Askham Bryan remain anchored to the bottom after being crushed by ten wickets by Burn. The Askham total of 138 included four ducks. Burn openers Leigh Adamson (70no) and Ray Adamson (56no) knocked the runs off in 23 overs.

Kelfield won at Fulfordgate, where Chris Walker cracked a superb unbeaten 75 to race past the home side’s 121.

The only unbeaten record in the league was ended as division two leaders North Duffield were outplayed at Thixendale. Duffield were bowled out for the first time this season, struggling to 113 all out. ’Dale’s Les Milburn (50no) hit the winning boundary to bring up his half-century.

Phil Holland (58no) and Paul Anderson (47) led York RI to an easy win against Thorpe Willoughby and Josh Bean’s 52 not out eased Clifton Alliance to a ten-wicket thrashing of Heworth.

Melbourne took another step towards the division three title as Malcolm Harrison returned fine figures of 12-5-18-7 in the win at Goole.

Leg-spinner Chris Gill (6-36) bowled Stillingfleet to victory at Copmanthorpe.

There were some outstanding individual performances in division four led by 14-year-old Will Huffer who unfurled some superb shots in his unbeaten 150 in Heworth’s thumping of Stamford Bridge.

Mobien Akhter’s 5-9 from seven overs capped only a second league win of the summer for the Elmpark Way side.

Mark Fairey (105) put on nearly 200 with Matthew Booth (77) as Yapham put strugglers Burton Salmon to the sword.

Ex-England Under-21 footballer Mark Ford was an all-round ace with 92 and 4-48 in Bishopthorpe II’s over Hemingbrough II.


Press performance of the week

Teenager Will Huffer (Heworth II) smashed an unbeaten 150 – his maiden ton – in the division four win against Stamford Bridge.