CRAIG Nicoll cracked a rapid century as HPH York Vale Cricket League leaders Ovington piled up the runs against Clifton Alliance.

After an opening stand of 98 between Tom Cookson (97) and Pete Kelly (35) set the tone, Nicoll accelerated with an unbeaten 113 along with Tom Armes who scored 52 not out which saw Ovington to 310-3.

Clifton batted steadily, finishing on 179-4 with John Myers holding the innings together with 84 not out.

Westow batted Wheldrake out of the game with some destructive hitting by Mark Earle, who survived a couple of drops to smack 127. He added a rapid 84 with Matthew Shipley and Chris Inman hit an unbeaten 60 which included seven sixes to see Westow to a match-winning 283-4.

Burn opener Leigh Adamson battled on a sticky wicket against Stockton & Hopgrove to make 86 with support from Harry Cruise (62). Rich Kerrison (4-49) pulled it back for Stockton whose wicketkeeper Jamie Kerrison took off the pads to turn his arm over for 2-56 as Burn totalled 233-9. Stockton’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Pete Fairclough pulled his hamstring going for the first run of the innings. Kalum Perera (51no) was the only batsman to get double figures as his side were bowled out for 98, Matthew Leetham starring with figures of 5-3-8-4.

Leg spinner Ben Shingles engineered a spectacular Askham Bryan collapse to earn Melbourne victory. He took 6-45 as Askham crashed from 141-2 to 172 all out in pursuit of Melbourne’s 209 which had featured 65 from opener Adam Thomas. Parag Mohite made 73 for Askham.

In division two, Stamford Bridge moved to 131-4 against Ovington thanks to 62 by Adam Harrison before stuttering to 150 all out. Sam Dixon (66no) led Osso to victory with eight overs to spare.

Jack Boyd (60no) led a counter-attack against Yapham to see Malton & Old Malton to 179 with the run rate for the last ten overs a healthy 7.2. Mark Fairey anchored Yapham’s winning response with 79.

Thorpe Willoughby’s Andy Kirk hit 62 in a total of 171-8 against Hirst Courtney. A second-wicket stand of 100 by Niall Langhan (54) and James Hinchcliffe (59) laid the foundations for Hirst’s successful run chase.

Bishopthorpe sealed promotion from division three by beating Dunnington by 45 runs. Half the Bishopthorpe side were back in the pavilion with only 67 on the board. They were rescued by a sixth-wicket partnership of 75 by Alex Jubb and Joe Curtis. Jubb raced to 50 from 32 balls while opener Curtis crafted a patient 48 not out from 126 deliveries to help the Bishops to 157-8. Greg Ashcroft (43) gave Dunnington a good start but the last five wickets only added seven runs as they crashed to 117 all out, John Latimer obliterating the tail with figures of 3.4-0-9-4.

Acomb were bowled out for 176 by Pocklington at Burnby Lane, three run outs not helping their cause. Pock lost a wicket to the first ball of their innings but after that it was plain sailing as youngsters Ted Baty (37) and Harry Jackson (38), followed by Simon Baty (34 no) and Alex Ashby (25no) knocked off the runs with 15 overs to spare.

Ray Adamson batted throughout the innings for an unbeaten 101 to help Burn II post 221-7 against Ovington II in Group B. Finn Baqui was the pick of the Ovington bowlers with 4-41 and then hit 61 to give them a chance but his departure saw Ovington subside from 142-4 to 158 all out.

An unbeaten 52 by Simon Willis enabled Yapham II to post a winning total of 174-7 against Selby in Group C.

Press Performance of the Week: Craig Nicoll kept Ovington on course for the division one title with a scorching 113 not out against Askham Bryan.