SCOTT CLAPHAM made the most of an early escape to speed Bishopthorpe to victory against Kelfield in division one of the HPH York Vale Cricket League on Saturday.

Dropped on five, he spanked six sixes on his way to a 53-ball unbeaten 82 as the Bishops hunted down Kelfield’s modest 131-5 in 24 overs.

Newly-promoted Melbourne’s in-depth batting, which included half-centuries for Matt Beevers and Harry Collins, piled up 224-7 against Burn. Beevers then took four catches behind the stumps, three of them off Oliver Steels who grabbed his first ‘five-for’ as Burn subsided to 141 all out.

Former Melbourne player A J Clarke (43) put on 99 for the third wicket with Mike Stellings (61) as champions North Cave proved far too strong for Ben Johnson.

North Duffield leg-break bowler Josh Carline (4-37) set up a three-wicket victory against Fulfordgate.

Ovington recovered from 22-3 to make a match-winning 176-8 against Stockton & Hopgrove thanks to Barry Steel’s 62.

Andy Welford was in the groove as Westow hammered Askham Bryan by 143 runs in division two.

He finished unbeaten on 108, sharing a third wicket stand of 123 for the fourth wicket with Matthew Shipley (44). Westow’s bowlers had too much for Askham who were shot out for 82.

Jake Wild struck 91 not out as Hirst Courney overtook Stillingfleet’s 159-7 for the loss of just one wicket.

Hemingbrough, eight wickets down, needed eight runs from the final over to beat South Cave & Brantingham and managed to scramble a single from the last delivery to tie the match. John Cockerill (Hemingbrough) and Ben Scorah (South Cave) both scored 79.

It was also tight at Wheldrake where the home side edged out Clifton Alliance by three runs, all-rounder Dan Nicholson proving the difference with a priceless 44 and 4-33.

Peter Fairclough (91) dominated an opening stand of 106 with partner Steve Fraser against Pocklington in division three to see his side to 205-4.

Pock made a blistering start to the run chase with 100 up inside 15 overs, James Baker (69) paving the way for father and son Simon and George Baty to see their side home by six wickets with a partnership of 66.

Malton & Old Malton were another side to post 200-plus and finish on the losing side. Chris Bingham was six runs short of his maiden century when he fell in the last over against Acomb, who stormed to a nine-wicket victory thanks to an opening partnership of 191 between Dan Littlewood (100no) and Steve Lennox (86), Littlewood winning the match with the boundary which brought up his ton.

Burn II skipper Ray Adamson (97) guided his side to a comfortable win against neighbours Thorpe Willoughby.

Thorp Arch & Boston Spa bowler John Kitson produced an all-bowled 6-22 in the division four win against Malton & Old Malton.

New side Yapham II were shot out for just 37 in pursuit of a meagre victory target of 69 against Tadcaster Magnet. Jack Burton was the chief destroyer with 5-18.