BEN Johnson ended a run of eight successive HPH York Vale Cricket League division one defeats by beating Melbourne to ease their relegation worries.

The result leaves Melbourne at the foot of the table after they let a winning position against the printers slip away. Harry Collins (4-16 from 11 overs) helped limit BJ to 122-8 and when his side’s reply stood at 103-5 were favourites to finish the job but Gary Walker (4-29) mopped up the tail to earn BJ a 10-run win.

Just two points above Melbourne are Stockton & Hopgrove whose bowlers were put to the sword by Kelfield’s second-wicket partners Craig Lawson (83) and Sam Dunn (57) who put on 117 in a total of 280-9. Stockton were 76-3 and up with the required rate but Craig Lawson struck twice in an over to effectively end the contest.

Leaders North Cave maintained their nine-point advantage over Bishopthorpe after defeating Ovington. A J Clarke (3-28) removed three of the top four Ovington batsmen and Will Ferguson (52no) guided Cave past the modest target in the 29th over. Charlie Buckley completed a fine all-around match taking 4-50 for Ovington.

Bishopthorpe cruised to victory against Fulfordgate after scoring 230-8 which featured a stand of 102 between Ian Holmes (74) and Andrew Seager, whose 73 came from just 43 balls.

Last man Matt Smith scored a career-best 32 to boost Burn’s total to 178 against North Duffield. Swing bowler Smith then took 3-43 as Burn won by 26 runs.

Jamie Wheeler's 145 not out earned Clifton Alliance a 41-run victory against Askham Bryan. Askham chased hard with Parag Mohite setting the tone with 84 off 79 balls, but the villagers collapsed from 163-2 to 204 all out

Heworth beat Hemingbrough whose opener John Cockerill made 68 before he was caught out in the 38th over. Matt Huffer’s well-judged 81 earned the Elm Park Way side victory.

Prolific Westow openers Mark Earle (60) and Andrew Welford (67) set up their side’s win at Stillingfleet with a stand of 131. Westow's win kept the pressure on leaders Wheldrake who beat South Cave & Brantingham on the last ball of a low scoring game, Sam Ensor hitting the winning runs.

Acomb were the big movers in division three as they toppled Yapham with Jon Beech taking 6-27 runs, including a hat-trick, to skittle Yapham for 57.

Bishopthorpe II only needed 111 to beat Thorpe Willoughby but were were blown away by Andy Jackson (5-30).

Burn II’s Ray Adamson scored 106 not out in the win against Pocklington whose Huw Jones bowled with great energy and pace to pick up 6-54 from his 11 overs.

The odds on Thixendale going through division four undefeated narrowed after seeing off closest challengers Thorp Arch & Boston Spa by six runs. Matthew Bentley’s excellent 110 almost took TABS to a thrilling win as the match went down to the last over.

Jamie Ross put in a great all-round display as Heworth II defeated Yapham II, taking 3-16 before hitting a match-winning unbeaten 66.

Press Performance of the Week

Jamie Wheeler (Clifton Alliance) stroked a classy 145 not out against Askham Bryan in division two