CHAMPIONS Ovington threw down the gauntlet to their HPH York Vale Cricket League division one rivals with a comprehensive victory over last season’s runners-up Bishopthorpe on Saturday.

They were given a great start as Chris Tune (44) and Tom Ashby (27) put on 85 for the first wicket. Despite losing a couple more wickets as Ian Holmes (4-46) hit a hot streak, Pete Kelly (44) and in-form Craig Nicholl (97) added 97 for the fourth wicket as the Knavesmire outfit totalled 228-5.

Barry Steel’s 12-5-29-3 had Bishopthorpe on the back foot from the start and although there was a late flurry by Mark Seager (46), Ovington wrapped up a 64-run win.

They are just three points behind leaders North Duffield with a game in hand, Duffield thrashing bottom club Thixendale by ten wickets with John Patrick, Paul Johnson and Steve Miller taking three wickets each.

North Cave had little hesitation in putting in Kelfield on a soft low pitch and were rewarded as Mike Stellings took 6-21 as the visitors were all out for 76, Cave easing to a nine-wicket win.

Burn outclassed a below-strength Stockton & Hopgrove by 119-runs, Adam Prescott (51), Jamie Bingle (42no) and Leigh Adamson (40) starring.

Ben Johnson consolidated top spot in division two with a crushing nine-wicket win against Westow who were all out for 83.

It was even easier for Melbourne whose A J Clarke and Si Holder shot out Heworth for just 57. Clarke’s 6-15 was aided by three Jamie Kirby catches while Holder finished with 4-21.

There were runs galore at Shipton Road were Stillingfleet hung on to win by six runs in a last over thriller. Openers Graham Hyde (56) and Chris Warner (43) gave Fleet a good start but it was Phil Johnson (98no) who propelled them to 242-3 with seven sixes and six fours. Alliance’s chase was led by Mark Taylor (82) and despite an unbeaten 43 by Jamie Butt they fell just short.

Askham Bryan came back twice to beat Selby in a see-saw game. From 37-4 after 20 overs, the villagers managed 141-8 by tea as Mark Grewer hit a quick 47. It didn’t look enough as openers Dave Brunyard (49) and Gareth Pearce (49) got Selby to 86 before being parted but Suresh Kandasamy’s 5-26 earned Askham an unlikely win.

Askham’s seconds could not repeat the feat as they were well beaten by undefeated division three leaders Acomb.

Veteran Les Fearn included a hat-trick in his 12-5-8-5 all bowled analysis as Wheldrake beat Yapham. Malton & Old Malton’s Kevin Wilson struck 17 boundaries in his 89 against Hemingbrough whose strength in depth saw them home.

Rich Horsman’s powerful 78 took Stockton & Hopgrove II to153-5 against Thorpe Willoughby who then lost two wickets without scoring but emerged victorious thanks to Andy McAvoy’s unbeaten 97.

There were two centuries in division four – Diccon Edwards making 111 for Burn II in narrow defeat at Heworth II and Matthew Bentley striking an unbeaten 183-5 as Thorp Arch & Boston Spa beat Ovington III.

Press Performance of the Week

Deadly accurate Les Fearn included a hat-trick and claimed five all-bowled victims in his figures of 12-5-8-5 for Wheldrake against Yapham in division three.