OVINGTON consolidated top spot in division one of the HPH York Vale Cricket League with a crushing win at Hemingbrough.

Barry Steel continued his outstanding form for the leaders as he bowled unchanged in the boiling heat to return figures of 12-5-17-3.

With Ben Busby taking 3-10 the home side were shot out for 89. Chris Tune then smacked 55 from 44 deliveries to ensure an early finish.

After two successive defeats, Stockton & Hopgrove got back to winning ways by overhauling Kelfield’s 173-7, which included 5-41 for Rich Grimes. Steve Fraser’s patient 53 not out was the platform for victory, although Kelfield were hampered by bowling injuries.

Craig Hewson cracked 51 as North Cave defeated Hirst Courtney by seven wickets to stay in the hunt.

Pete Wood smashed six huge straight sixes in his 79 as Askham Bryan totalled 157-6 but he was upstaged by Ross Kelly who clattered an unbeaten 84 from 56 balls as Bishopthorpe won by eight wickets.

Ed Clark’s 73 helped Burn make 148 for Fulfordgate, who then melted Smith’s 5-21 and lost by 37 runs.

Clifton Alliance took over the leadership of division two by beating York RI. Chasing Alliance’s 183-9, RI were pegged back by Steve Bygott’s 4-41 in 12 overs and fell well short.

Former leaders North Duffield lost for the second week in a row, going down by eight wickets at Ben Johnson, whose Martin Reynolds (80no) and Neil Drew (65) enjoyed a partnership of 131.

Heworth made a healthy 226-6 at Thixendale, but Will Megginson’s 78 earned the East Yorkshire side victory with five overs in hand.

Malton & Old Malton pulled away from the division three relegation zone with a 66-run success against Copmanthorpe. Big-hitting Jamie Spencer made 67 and Max Fraser (82) put on 107 with Stu Whatmore (42no) as the Ryedale side amassed 250-6. Cop were bowled out for 169, slumping from 64-1 to 79-6 before Phil Jackson’s 64 earned the villagers four batting points.

Melbourne’s title charge was checked as they lost at South Cave, enabling Acomb to take closer order by putting away Pocklington in style. After Pock were bowled out for 131, Acomb’s Aiden Burton took the bowling by the scruff of the neck to finish on an agonising 99 not out as fellow opener Daniel Littlewood was unbeaten on 29.

Despite plenty of runs on some excellent batting tracks with lightning outfields, only one man had the stamina in the heat to make a century. Stuart Watson (103no) scored his maiden ton as Bishopthorpe II totalled 207-7 and then held off division four leaders Askham Bryan II by six runs in a tense finish.

Yapham skipper Carl Marsden (6-25) bowled his side to last over victory against Stockton & Hopgrove II.

Woodhouse Grange’s six-wicket win against Malton & Old Malton II in division five was a real family affair. Russell Bilton took 3-7 while his neice, Rebecca Ainley (3-25), and nephew, Matthew Ainley (2-8), were also among the wickets.

• North Duffield will be bidding to retain the Scothern Construction Cup in the final against Melbourne at Hemingbrough on August 11.

The holders held off a brave effort by an under-strength York RI in their semi-final, while Melbourne defeated Heworth to claim their final spot.

Good RI fielding restricted North Duffield to 162-9, Pradeep Basthian starring with 5-27 from ten overs. Paul Johnson was Duff’s main man with the bat, striking eight boundaries in his 54.

RI made a decent fist of the run chase, but lacked in-depth support for Divoyd Smith (31) and were bowled out for 136 to lose by 26 runs. John Patrick was their main destroyer with 5-26 from 8.2 overs.

Third division leaders Melbourne triumphed at second division Heworth, who slid from 32-0 to 34-4 in the space of two overs. In the end they did well to make 164 with Rod Moorcroft making an unbeaten 65. Melbourne’s Si Houlder took 3-27, Brian Underwood 3-29 and Harry Collins 3-42. Oliver Steels then cracked a super 89 not out as Melbourne won by six wickets.


Press performance of the week

Bowlers and batsmen toiled in the heat but Stuart Watson showed great concentration to notch his first century. His 103 not out proved a match-winner as Bishopthorpe II beat division four leaders Askham Bryan II by six runs.