WESTOW skipper Mark Earle came within one stroke of setting an HPH York Vale Cricket League record on Saturday.

He smashed an amazing 213 against Heworth in division two – the second highest individual innings in the league’s 81-year history.

Earle scored 156 in boundaries, comprising 21 fours and a dozen sixes, as he put on 312 with fellow opener Andy Welford (89no) before losing his wicket in the 37th over. Westow totalled 326-2, and although Greg Sykes (88) and Pete Fairburn (55) restored some honour for Heworth with a 141-run partnership, the Ryedale side won by 146 runs.

Earle’s innings has only been bettered by Nasar Mahmood’s 217 for Selby II against Thorpe Willoughby II last August. Mahmood also found form on Saturday, scoring 112 in the division four victory against Thorp Arch & Boston Spa, his innings including 15 boundaries and four sixes.

Division Two also witnessed another big ton as Phil Johnson scored 160 in Stillingfleet’s win against Askham Bryan to keep his side in the title race. Johnson faced only 93 deliveries and blasted 13 maximums as Fleet compiled 225-5.

Ben Johnson remain top after Jamie Agnew (70) and Martin Reynolds (57) helped propel them to a match-winning 231-6 against Hirst Courtney who struggled against Gary Walker (4-31).

Melbourne’s new ball pairing A J Clarke (5-15 from 10 overs) and Harry Collins (4-17) set up their side’s four-wicket win against South Cave & Brantingham.

It was a case of as you were in division one as the top three all won.

Unbeaten leaders Ovington needed the experienced Dave Brummitt to win their game at North Duffield who had made a good start in pursuit of a 193-run victory target. Brummitt removed danger man Paul Johnson (44) and finished with figures of 12-2-30-6.

North Cave cruised to victory against Stockton & Hopgrove, whose innings was brought to a rapid end by James Windeatt (5-19) after Karl Youngman removed the first three batsmen. Yaniv Judah hit an unbeaten 62 in Cave’s nine-wicket romp.

Ross Kelly (58 and 3-16) helped Bishopthorpe to an eight-wicket success against Fulfordgate with 15 overs to spare.

Danny Montgomery followed last week’s ton with an unbeaten 70 as Burn beat Kelfield by seven wickets. Chris Walker (69) and Phil Smith (57) shared a 124-run partnership for the losers.

Ovington II were up against it at 126-8 chasing Thorpe Willoughby’s 167-9 in division three but were rescued by a unbroken 45-run stand by 15-year-old Dom Kitching (29no) and Ralph Sinclair, aged 13, who made 19 not out.

Three days after his 15th birthday Taylor Shann celebrated in style with a stunning display for Tadcaster Magnet in division four. He hit the final ball of Tadcaster Magnet’s innings for four to finish on 102 not out and then took 4-23, including a wicket with his first delivery, as Stamford Bridge were beaten by 138 runs.

Pocklington, who have struggled for victories in recent seasons, have emerged as promotion contenders after a win against Heworth II which featured 6-46 for Pete Eastwood.

Press Performance of the Week

Double centurion Mark Earle’s superb 213 for Westow against Heworth in division two