CHAMPIONS-ELECT Ovington had to put the champagne on ice as they lost their penultimate game of the season at home to North Cave.

Defeat, coupled with second-placed Bishopthorpe’s win against Hirst Courtney, saw the Knavesmire outfit’s lead trimmed to 17 points.

Bishopthorpe now need to beat Hemingbrough and pray that relegated Hirst Courtney pull off a shock at Ovington if they are to pip the Knavesmire side.

Ovington were hustled out for 117 on their own track by North Cave but Ovington responded by reducing the visitors to 38-5.

Just as the title seemed in sight, James Windeatt smashed an unbeaten 53 from only 42 deliveries to take the game out of Ovington’s reach.

Bishopthorpe kept their title hopes alive by beating Hirst who only managed to get to 150-8 thanks to 67 from Phil Alford.

The Bishops were 62-3 before an unbroken partnership between Scott Reeves (50no) and Ben Smith (40no) won the day. That confirmed Hirst’s relegation along with bottom side Askham Bryan, who lost at home to Kelfield, whose Matty Walker slammed 75 not out from only 35 deliveries.

Stockton & Hopgrove openers Matt Durkin (64) and Richard Kerrison (51) enjoyed a partnership of 105 against Fulfordgate, whose spinner Tom Craddock hit back with 6-43 to restrict S&H to 173-9. However, Dan Fairclough (5-39) ensured Gate were bowled out for 101.

Burn’s Mike Smith (6-24) ripped through Hemingbrough who were bowled out for 64.

Thixendale, 60-run winners against relegated Wheldrake, will clinch promotion to the top tier if they win at third-placed North Duffield on Saturday. They can even lose providing they secure a handful of bonus points as they hold a big lead over Clifton Alliance and Duffield.

Thixendale had Dean Tyler (5-19) to thank for successfully defending 146 against Wheldrake, whose Mark Cass took 5-28.

Clifton Alliance knew victory over Duffield on Sunday would secure promotion for both themselves and Thixendale. But Steve Miller’s 85 earned victory for Duffield who could go up if they beat Thixendale on Saturday and Alliance lose at Heworth.

An unbroken 112 stand between Jamie Agnew (76no) and Neil Drew (37no) saw Ben Johnson home against Westow.

York RI made a match-winning 221-4 against Heworth thanks to a 124-run fifth-wicket stand between Paul Anderson (81no) and Phil Holland (76no).

Melbourne won division three in style by thrashing Copmanthorpe with Oliver Steels (105) scoring his maiden century. He shared a 124-run partnership with Ben Thompson (34).

Stillingfleet also would have gone up had they disposed of Malton & Old Malton but they slid to a surprise defeat.

Dunnington are on the brink of the division four title after beating relegated Burton Salmon by five wickets.

Granville North went beyond 50 wickets for the season with 5-10 in Hemingbrough II’s win at Burn.

Askham Bryan II’s Lee Jones Freeman hit 146 in the thumping of Yapham but was outscored by Hirst Courtney II’s veteran Nigel Emery.

Having set the summer’s best total a fortnight ago, Selby II were on the receiving end as division five opponents Hirst notched a season-high 318-6. Emery (167) and Ben Copeland (84) amassing a stand of 155.


Press performance of the week

Nigel Emery’s 167 for Hirst Courtney II v Selby II in division five is one of the biggest individual scores of the summer.