WHELDRAKE maintained their leadership of the division three in the HPH Vale with a nine-wicket win against Yapham at Bishop Wilton on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dave Fearn was twice on a hat-trick on his way to 6-16 as Yapham were bowled out for 67.

There was a thriller at Stockton & Hopgrove II who tied with Thorpe Willoughby II in a game reduced to 30 overs a side. Thorpe struggled to 95-6 before eventually having to settle for 109-8.

Stockton looked set for an easy win as Tom Williams (43) and Dan Fairclough (32) had the home side well set on 89-3. But the innings nose-dived after Fairclough’s dismissal and it all boiled down to the final over bowled by Dave Watson with the last pair at the crease needing three to win. Two singles brought the scores level but Steve Duckett was run out as Stockton attempted to run a bye.

Division four champions Burn II suffered a surprise home defeat at the hands of mid-table Heworth II. Only Mark Webster (49) got into his stride as the Heworth bowlers restricted Burn to 148-8.

Heworth II’s reply progressed to 73-1 but Webster (5-34) came on to get Burn right back in it. Seven down with 35 needed off six overs, Heworth had work to do but skipper Tom Matthewson (29no) in the company of Will Etty (25no) secured a three-wicket victory.

Tadcaster Magnet closed the gap on second-placed Pocklington with a tight two-wicket success at Burnby Lane. The consolation for Pock was that Jack Watson (63no) and George Baty (50) shared a third-wicket stand of 95 and scored their maiden half-centuries.

Another fine bowling performance by John Kitson (5-20) enabled Thorp Arch & Boston Spa successfully defend their modest total of 112-8 against Ovington III.

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