OVINGTON surged to the top of the HPH York Vale Cricket League table after outplaying previous leaders Clifton Alliance.

Craig Nicoll was the star with four wickets and 76 not out as Clifton’s unbeaten start to the season was shattered. Only three Alliance batsmen made double figures in a total of 109 with Nicoll (10.3-1-34-4) and Neil Metcalfe (3-28) doing the damage.

When both Ovington openers were out with just 20 on the board, Alliance had a glimmer of hope but Nicoll added an unbroken stand of 93 for the third wicket with Joe Whale (20no).

Melbourne lost to Askham Bryan in a tight finish. Melbourne’s Tim Blackmore and new signing Andy Forman put on 130 for the second wicket before Chris Copeland (4-41) and Fraser Strachan (5-29) had them all out for 183. Ali Hogben (84) led the response before John Forecast hit the winning boundary with nine balls remaining.

Kelfield snatched a last-ball win at the expense of Ben Johnson in a reduced overs game.

Martin Reynolds (46) and Abdul Khan (31) put on 50 in just over five overs in BJ’s 144-7. Sam Dunn (41) hit out before Jamie Wheeler (55no) saw Kelfield home by scoring a single off the last delivery with the scores tied.

Burn piled up the runs against bottom side Stockton & Hopgrove. Openers Tom Bourke (111) and Leigh Adamson (63) and a rapid knock by Mark Webster (40no) took Burn past 300. Stockton & Hopgrove offered great resistance in the shape of Jamie Kerrison (74) but fell to 225 all out.

Anthony Carter (57) and Ben Challis (49) top-scored in Wheldrake’s 176-4 at Westow, whose openers Mark Earle (60) and Andrew Phillips (49) set up victory with a stand of 114 in 19 overs.

Thorpe Willoughby overcame Hirst Courtney in division two by one wicket with two balls to spare.

Hirst nudged their way to 137-9 on a damp track and slow outfield. Thorpe were 42-5 before Andy Green (44) pulled it round. Jim Hinchcliffe (4-32) checked the run chase and seven were required from the final over, the last pair scrambling over the line.

Leaders Thixendale eased to a seven-wicket victory against Fulfordgate who were shot out for 91. Thix were reduced to 37-3, but any hope of a shock was extinguished by a 22-ball 47 not out from Nigel French.

Despite an unbeaten 53 from Tom Tyson, Malton & Old Malton collapsed from 73-1 at drinks to 135-9 against Yapham, whose father-son combination of Andrew Noble (2-17) and Sam Noble (4-24) bowled well. Craig Readhead (55no) drove the villagers towards a five-wicket win.

In division three, Acomb thrashed 10-man Malton & Old Malton II, bowling them out for just 43. No Malt batsman made double figures as Charlie Marshall ripped through the card with figures of 6-4-5-5.

Bishopthorpe enjoyed a 27-run win at Pocklington thanks to a dazzling all-round display by debutant Danniyal Qadeerbutt. Bish were struggling at 24-3 but Qadeerbutt made 80 out of the Bishops’ 151 all out. He racked up his fifty in just 26 balls and was out 10 balls later having rattled up seven fours and six maximums. Pock slid to 33-4 and any hope of a recovery was soon nipped in the bud as Qadeerbutt took 6-28 from 9.2 overs with his leg spin.

Stamford Bridge II’s Josh Moore (129no) and Taylor Stanton (70no) amassed an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 176 against Tadcaster Magnet. Ryan Lowe (91) responded but fell to Ben Ipar (5-33) as Magnet crashed from 113-1 to 175 all out.

Harry Griffiths was Dunnington’s ace in the win against Ovington III, top scoring with 69 after taking 4-41.

Press Performance of the Week: Danniyal Qaderbuut enjoyed a dream debut for Bishopthorpe with 80 from just 36 balls and 6-28 against Pocklington in division three.