OVINGTON’S battle to retain their HPH York Vale Cricket League division one title looks like going down to the wire.

Victory at Burn on Saturday saw them leapfrog Bishopthorpe into second place just ten points behind leaders North Cave who have played a game more.

The three-way scrap for honours will intensify this Saturday when Bishopthorpe entertain Ovington while Cave play their penultimate game at Kelfield.

Dave Brummitt continued his recent good form with 4-33 for Ovington, including the scalp of Leigh Adamson (80) as Burn were restricted to 144-8. Chris Tune then smacked 52 from 35 deliveries as Ovington sped to victory, Craig Nicholl including three successive sixes in his unbeaten 26.

Bishopthorpe were without a game, but Cave thrashed Fulfordgate who were bowled out for 46 by John Buttle and Mike Stellings who had figures of 7.5-3-11-6 and 12-6-15-4 respectively.

Stockton & Hopgrove’s new signing from Thixendale, Dean Tyler, made an instant impact with 3-23 in the win at North Duffield.

Ben Johnson’s division two title hopes received a big blow when they lost at 10-man Heworth whose Matt Huffer was dismissed by the first ball of the final over just four short of his maiden century.

Melbourne are the new leaders after an easy win at Clifton Alliance where Harry Collins took three wickets in an over on his way to a 11-6-16-6 analysis.

On a day dominated by bowlers, Askham Bryan successfully defended a lowly 111-9 by bowling out Westow for 108. The Ryedale side needed five to win but Mark Grewer (3-6) struck twice in the 33 over to clinch victory after Paul Thornton (4-49) had done the donkey work.

Selby won only their second game of the season as Chris James took 6-45 against fellow strugglers Hirst Courtney.

Wheldrake were toppled from the summit of division three when they were comprehensively beaten by Ovington II. Ben Busby took 4-27 as Wheldrake could only muster 101-8, Stefan Littlewood leading the victory charge with an unbeaten 54 from 45 balls.

Carl Marsden’s 6-33 for Yapham saw Askham Bryan II all out for 80 but Anil responded in kind with 6-21 as Askham held on to win by three runs.

Bucking the ball-dominant trend were Bishopthorpe II who amassed 278-7 against Malton & Old Malton. After losing two cheap wickets Sam Davies, who thrashed 105 from only 71 balls, and Stuart Watson (99) embarked on a big third wicket stand. Malt were then bowled out for 140, Kevin Wilson scoring 56.

Burn II secured promotion from division four with victory against Burton Salmon. Needing 146 to win, Burn were in difficulty at 84-5 but an unbroken sixth-wicket stand between Ray Adamson (79no) and Jacob Webster (30no) took them a step closer to the title.

Pocklington improved their promotion prospects by thumping bottom club Selby II, James Baker scoring an unbeaten 52 after Pete Eastwood destroy Selby with 9.4-2-22-6.

There was also a winning six-wicket haul for Thorp Arch & Boston Spa’s John Kitson whose ten overs only cost a couple of runs against Stamford Bridge.
 

Performance of the Week

On a bowler-dominate day, Sam Davies (Bishopthorpe II) bucked the trend with a 71-ball 105 against Malton & Old Malton in division three.