MALTON & Old Malton’s Nick Lock saved the best until last.

His analysis of 5.2-3-4-7 on the final day of the season was the best in the HPH York Vale Cricket League this summer.

Of the four runs he conceded, three were wides as division three opponents Acomb were skittled for 40, Malt knocking off the runs for the loss of two wickets.

Thorpe Willoughby must be wishing the campaign was not ending as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches with a three-wicket win against champions Wheldrake at Field Lane.

Wheldrake were in desperate trouble at 7-4 against the pace and swing of Lewis Smith (4-18) and Andy Jackson (2-26) before veteran Dave Watson finished them off for 100 with 4-8.

Leo Howard struck 18 boundaries in his 105 as Hemingbrough posted a match-winning 239-5 against Stockton & Hopgrove II.

Bishopthorpe II pipped Ovington II by one run in a game which went down to the wire. Bishops slid from 85-4 to 126 all out but looked in control as Ovington struggled to 66-8. Andy Cole (28) and Ian Kirkup (29no) pushed the score on to 120 before Cole was caught at midwicket. Five runs later, last man Ben Busby, nursing an ankle injury, was bowled by James Trumble. Jamie Blackburn took 5-29 and Alex Bindloss 4-40.

James Baker’s maiden century helped secure promotion for Pocklington from division four. The 16-year-old struck 14 fours and three sixes in his 121 as Pock rattled up 237 against Stamford Bridge whose Liam Easton took 6-62.

Bridge were then bowled out for just 57 as two early wickets by Pete Eastwood, which took his seasonal tally to 38, were followed by three wickets each by Alex Smith and Jack Craven.

Pock finished as runners-up to Burn II who ended their season with a 36-run win against Thorpe Willoughby II. Adrian Huetson batted 37 overs for his 62 to provide the platform of Burn’s 179 all out.

Thorpe were well up with the run rate until a devastating spell by youngster Joe Shaw (5-36) turned the game in Burn’s favour.

Tadcaster Magnet’s defeat at Burton Salmon saw them slip out of the promotion places on the final day. A solid Salmon batting performance headed by Ishbad Buxton’s 42 saw Salmon to 218-6. Tad’s reply spluttered to 47 all out with number nine batsman Nick Lyons finishing on 30 not out.

Selby II finished bottom after their decision to bat first on a green wicket backfired. They were bowled out for 94 by Heworth II, who sped to victory in 13.4 overs thanks to a rapid 57 not out by Will Rymer.

Malton & Old Malton II edged past Thorp Arch & Boston Spa by one wicket in a thrilling finale. Needing 150 to win, the ninth Malton wicket went down on 147 but last pair Richard Szynzack and Mick Liversidge got them home from the final ball of the 39th over.

 

Press Performance of the Week

Nick Lock’s figures of 5.2-3-4-7 for Malton & Old Malton against Acomb in division three were the best by any bowler in the league this season.