WESTOW maintained their HPH York Vale Cricket League division one title challenge by beating Kelfield by two wickets – their fifth win on the bounce.

On a pitch which had seen a fair amount of rain during the week the teams provided a thrilling match in difficult batting conditions.

Kelfield lost the toss and were put in, scoring 149-6 in their 40 overs. Openers Craig Lawson (31) and Sam Dunn (24) managed to put on 50 in the first 15 overs before Matt Walker (35) and Martyn Rhodes (21) pushed the score along.

The best bowler was Dave Coverdale with 3-34 from 10 overs.

Westow’s batsmen found it just as difficult and slid to 47-4 but at 107-7 the game was in the balance.

The match was won in the 37th over from which the visitors, with only two wickets remaining, scored 13 - Nathan Pratt scoring 11 of them, including a six and the winning single.

The pick of the Kelfield bowlers were Walker (4-32) and Dunn (3-43).

Ovington maintained their three-point lead at the top with a thumping win against Ben Johnson.

Stefan Littlewood and Pete Kelly put on 108 for Ovington’s first wicket. When Littlewood (51) fell, Tim Burgess (39) carried on attacking, before Kelly was stumped on 99.

Ben Johnson pulled the scoring back a towards the end with Darren Lovatt finishing with 5-60.

In reply to Ovington’s 266-8, Ben Johnson couldn’t get going against Kelly, Neil Metcalfe and Ben Busby, who each took two wickets as the printers closed on 132-8.

Askham Bryan arrived at Burn with a numerically weakened team and made life harder for themselves by shelling catches.

Home batsman Tom Bourke made the most of an early life to smash 72 and Askham again let Burn off the hook by dropping Ed Clarke (88no) and Harry Cruise (77no) early, after which they powered on to 305-3 at tea.

Graham Robson (3-21) made early inroads into the Askham batting line-up and the end came quickly as spinner Ashley Abbott raced through the tail to finish with 4-10, which included a double wicket maiden to wrap up Burn’s 223-run win.

Stamford Bridge’s young side continued their excellent start to life in division two by beating Hirst Courtney by 61 runs. Key to Bridge’s 159-5 was a fine 90 not out by Tom Lawson. Bridge’s bowlers were equally effective with Hirst hustled out for less than 100, Liam Easton taking 4-22 and Shaun Wilford 3-20.

Bottom side Fulfordgate put their frustrating start to the season behind them with a thumping 10-wicket win against nine-man Malton & Old Malton.

Tej Singh and Billy Remmington, both returning to the side for the first time this season, made major contributions.

Singh took 5-20 as Malton were skittled for 96, while Remmington (47no) and Alan Baldock (49no) knocked off the runs in just 16 overs.

Bishopthorpe stayed at the summit of division three with a nine-wicket win against Thorpe Willoughby II.

Thorpe collapsed to 33-8 before being bowled out for 53 in the 33rd over. No batsman got into double figures and extras top-scored on 24. Owen Lewis included a double-wicket maiden in his figures of 5-1-6-4 while Matthew Sharples claimed 3-7.

Only one Bishopthorpe wicket fell when Rob Ireland was out for 24 with the score on 47. Joe Curtis remained unbeaten on 22.

Acomb proved far too strong for Selby on Sunday in a game switched to Sandhill Lane.

Acomb’s innings revolved around opener John Askam, who hit an impressive 104, supported by Brad Keel (55) and Chris Marshall (30no) as they totalled 259-7 on a good track. Selby were dismissed for 95.

Press Performance of the Week: John Askham’s 104 put division three high-fliers Acomb in control against Selby on Sunday.