THE three-way battle for the HPH York Vale Cricket League division one title took a new twist.

Defeats for leaders Bishopthorpe and second-placed Burn have opened the door for champions Ovington, whose in-form batsmen topped 200 for the fourth successive league game when they notched up 226-8 against Bishopthorpe.

Bishopthorpe paid a heavy price for dropping Tom Cookson (44) on 16 and Craig Nicoll (48) on four.

Bishops lost early wickets as Barry Steel (2-27) helped to reduce them to 65-5 and, although Scott Reeves (64) took the hosts close, Dom Kitching (4-54) picked up late wickets to seal a 13-run victory for Ovington.

Westow’s Jacob Stephenson hit exactly 100 against Burn before being stumped off the bowling of spinner Ashley Abbott (4-41).

Diccon Edwards (66) led the run chase for Burn, who needed 11 from the final over, Westow hanging on to win by four runs.

Ben Johnson never got going after being put in to bat by Kelfield. They lost wickets at regular intervals with Paul Morrison (43no) being the main contributor to a total of 104 which Kelfield knocked off in 19 overs, Craig Lawson finishing on 54 not out.

Bottom side Stockton & Hopgrove finally earned some relief with victory against a battling eight-man Melbourne, who were bowled out for 152. Stockton cruised to victory with 57 from Richard Kerrison and an unbeaten 36 by Avi Fernandez, who hit four six six to finish the game.

Division two leaders Askham Bryan lost by 45 runs to HPH Cup finalists Hirst Courtney, whose Jake Wild scored 59 and took three wickets.

Graham Hyde batted through the entire Stillingfleet innings for his 102 not out from 117 balls in the win against Fulfordgate and passed a couple of personal milestones en route - his first bat carry and his first century for the club.

Richard Marshall produced figures of 8-4-18-4 to help Clifton Alliance to a seven-wicket win against Malton & Old Malton. Ovington II thumped a depleted Acomb and leapfrogged their opponents into third place.

Thorpe Willoughby skipper Andy Kirk made a career-first century of 115 against Thixendale, which saw his side extend their lead at the top of division three.

It was revenge for Thorpe who had lost to Dale in league and cup earlier in the season.

Joe Moore smashed an undefeated 156 off 115 balls for Yapham against Bishopthorpe II to set a Vale League record for his club for the highest individual score and the team’s highest total of 331.

Moore was supported by Adam Smith (70) and Will Cardy (53no) as Yapham won by 168 runs.

Burn II skipper Ray Adamson hit an unbeaten 52 after his side restricted Selby to a below-par total, with Steve Hall bowling 12 overs consecutively for 4-18.

Stamford Bridge emphasised their dominance of the division four with a crushing win against lowly Malton & Old Malton II.

Ten-man Malt had Bridge 17-2 but were punished by a third-wicket partnership of 224 between Tom Lawson (120), who scored his maiden century for the club, and Robert Hewitt (83no).

By tea Bridge had powered to 270-4. Malt then crumbled, having no answer to Martin Veysey who returned 8-4-6-4. Five wickets fell at 13 as they slid from 12-3 to 13-8, finally being bowled out for 20, one of the lowest scores recorded in the league in recent years.

Press Performance of the Week: Yapham’s Joe Moore went to town against Bishopthorpe II in division three with a club record 156 from 115 balls.