WESTOW cut Ovington’s lead at the top of the HPH York Vale League division one table to eight points to get their title hopes back on track.

While the York-based side’s game against Kelfield was wiped out by rain, Westow’s covers did the trick and they were able to bank a maximum 30 points from a comfortable victory against Askham Bryan.

Westow struggled to 78-3 midway through their overs before a partnership of 84 between Jacob Stephenson (74) and Matthew Shipley (39) was followed by big hitters Ali Fothergill (44) and Jamie Smith (39no) adding 65 in just six overs to take the final total to 281-8.

Stephenson then ripped through Asham’s order with 6-34 as Westow romped home by 140 runs.

Wheldrake got sucked into the relegation battle as they lost to fellow strugglers Ben Johnson.

Martin Reynolds (70), Phil Holland (68no) and Paul Morrison (29no) got the printers to 228-4. Wheldrake were bowled out cheaply with both Darren Lovatt and Ian Tessier taking three wickets.

The weather ruined a potentially exciting finish at Clifton Alliance where Burn were the visitors on Sunday.

Mark Taylor (78) and Julian Atkinson saw Alliance to 206 at tea. Burn were 118-4 with 13 overs remaining and Leigh Adamson unbeaten on 56 when rain stopped play.

Thorpe Willoughby did a division two double over neighbours Hemingbrough II with a last-gasp victory by six runs.

Thorpe struggled against metronome bowling from Andy Rowley and John Cockerill (6-54) and totalled 156-9, which included an undefeated 72 by Martin Cooke.

Cockerill led the reply with 74 but, with 12 needed from the last six balls, bowler Jordan Leybourne delivered the goods as his side edged home. Dave Watson bowled tight lines to finish with 4-28.

Thixendale’s Joe Robinson must love Yapham’s Smylett Lane track.

He scored 128 there last season and struck 112 in Saturday’s victory. Yapham’s young leg-spinner Sam Noble showed his potential with 4-66 from his 10 overs.

South Cave & Brantingham head the table after beating Malton & Old Malton, whose Grant Stephens (52) top scored in a total of 164-9. Simon Patchett (65) and Ben Scorah (31) got South Cave close to their target before Anuj Bahl (22no) saw Cave home with six overs spare.

Fulfordgate slumped to 54-6 before an unbroken partnership of 49 between James Nelson and Howard Leadley took them to 103-6. Bridge slid to 34-3, but Ian Fraser, with a fine 43, helped them home with three overs to spare.

Hirst Courtney were put in to bat by Ovington on a rain-affected wicket and were bowled out for just 45, Roger Simonsen claiming 5-32. Ovington struggled to 32-6 but, after a period of 28 consecutive dot balls, they crawled to victory in the 26th over.

In group 'A' of division three, Ed Bindloss was Bishopthorpe’s match-winner at Pockington, scoring 46 and grabbing 6-9 from six overs as the hosts crashed to 97 all out from 66-2 off 14 overs. Matthew Sharples was razor-sharp with his close-in fielding, taking four catches.

Ovington III held off Thorpe Willoughby II to win their group 'B' encounter by 10 runs at Millthorpe.

Needing 166 to win, Thorpe required 46 off seven overs. Two consecutive sixes by Andy Jackson took his team close but Ovington were indebted to the accuracy of their young bowlers to successfully defend their total.

The Steward brothers were key figures in Burn II’s win against Stamford Bridge. Ben made 63 in a partnership of 65 with sibling Oliver, who then took 4-25. John Moore hit a powerful 36 late on for Bridge but to no avail.

Keith Cardy took 5-16 as Yapham II defeated Tadcaster Magnet in group 'C'.

Press Performance of the Week: All-rounder Jacob Stephenson revived Westow’s division one title hopes by scoring 74 and taking 6-34 against Askham Bryan.