BURN put themselves firmly in the frame as genuine HPH York Vale Cricket League title contenders with an 81-run win at Bishopthorpe on Saturday.

They became the first team other than 2014 and 2015 champions North Cave to beat the Bishops at Ferry Lane since May 2013.

Burn’s openers Tom Bourke (68) and Norman Elliott (39) put together a match-winning partnership of 81.

Burn’s pace bowlers then made effective use of the helpful conditions as Alex Webster (2-34) and Graham Robson (4-33) bowled unchanged, reducing the home side to 61-6 to effectively end the contest.

Ovington were beaten by Ben Johnson at York University after being bowled out for 139. Graham Byrne took 3-49 to dispose of Ovington’s top three and Steve Thornton completed the job with 4-37. Phil Holland saw the Printers home with an unbeaten 39.

An outstanding individual performance from Mark Earle saw Westow crush Melbourne by 217 runs.

Earle and fellow opener Andrew Welford (67) put on 102 in just 20 overs before Ali Fothergill smashed 55. Earle finished with a classy 104, then returned figures of 6-4-5-4 as Melbourne were skittled for 29.

Stockton & Hopgrove got their first league win of the season when they thumped Wheldrake. Dan Fairclough (4-22) and Tom Williams (3-16) saw Wheldrake bowled out for 95. Stockton reached their target in 20 overs.

Acomb continued their unbeaten start to division two by powering to victory against Fulfordgate.

All-rounder Faharath Ansar followed his 4-20 with an unbeaten 60, sharing an unbroken partnership of 114 with Mark Williamson (43no).

There was a final-ball, final-wicket thriller at Barmby Moor, as Ovington II edged out Clifton Alliance.

Clifton crashed from 82-0 to 129 all out, Nick Pickard, a former Worcestershire javelin champion, taking 4-35.

Ovington also collapsed from 62-0 to 96-7 before Andy Cole (24no) hit the winning single off the last delivery of the match.

A maiden century from John Cockerill (105no) saw Hemingbrough to a match-winning score of 227-3 at Malton & Old Malton, adding 126 in 22 overs with fellow opener Ryan Fielder (43).

Stillingfleet’s Chris Woodfine took 6-38 to see Askham Bryan slide from 83-1 to 160 all out, but Fleet lost after a poor batting display.

Thorpe Willoughby travelled to Thixendale for their division three game with four father and son combinations in their side, but were outclassed by the home team, whose Geoff Room notched 50.

Ashley Abbott (60) hit his first half-century to guide Burn II to an easy win against Selby.

Pocklington made it three wins out of three in division four by beating Tadcaster Magnet.

At 66-8 Pock were in trouble but Ryan Lockwood made 81 not out, featuring eight sixes and six boundaries, to help his side to 162 all out. Pete Eastwood then bagged five victims, all bowled, to finish with 11-2-20-5 as Tadcaster were skittled for 57.

Stamford Bridge are keeping pace with Pock at the top, Martin Veysey sparkling in the 130-run rout of Malton & Old Malton II with 94.

David Squires’ composed 81 earned Thorpe Willoughby II victory against Dunnington.

Defending 154-6, Yapham II had Ovington III in dire trouble at 95-8, but Ovington fought back to win by one wicket, leaving Yapham to rue conceding 44 extras.

Press Performance of the Week: Westow’s Mark Earle wins the award for the second time this season thanks to his 104 and figures of 6-4-5-4 against Melbourne in division one.