WHELDRAKE rediscovered some form to end a run of eight games without a win and haul themselves out of the HPH York Vale Cricket League division one relegation zone.

They overpowered Askham Bryan by 114 runs after a brilliant bowling performance by Dave Fearn.

Steve Rouse made a patient 47 in Wheldrake’s 161-7 but it was Fearn who was the match-winner with a season’s best 6-12 as Askham were skittled for 47, Hugo Southern also taking 3-27.

It was Wheldrake’s first win since June 3 and lifted them above Stockton & Hopgrove, who lost Kelfield.

Stockton lost opener Pete Fairclough early to an hamstring injury – the second successive innings in which he has had to limp out of action. Tom Williams (61no) responded to lift S&H to 145 all out, Ryan Lorryman taking 4-40.

Kelfield lost two wickets in winning, Matt Walker (61no) and Andy Charlton (49no) enjoying an unbroken partnership of 105.

Bottom club Ben Johnson went down by seven wickets at Clifton Alliance. They threatened to post a big score when they got to 136-5 after 28 overs thanks to Danny Cameron (51) but the innings drifted to 148 all out. Lewis Clark had figures of 10-1-30-4.

Clifton openers Niall Tilsley (61) and Josh Clark (45) put on 84 as Alliance raced home in 23.1 overs.

Ovington are showing no sign of easing up in their quest for the title.

They have not lost a league game since the opening match of the season and brushed aside Melbourne, bowling them out for 71 - Neil Metcalfe claiming 5-14. Ovington slid to 48-3 but Craig Nicoll (31no) saw the game out.

Second-placed Westow remain eight points adrift after defeating Burn, who struggled against spinner Jacob Stephenson and were bowled out for 131.

Andrew Welford then hit a rapid 80 not out as Westow won with 14 overs remaining.

Thixendale and Ovington II will meet on Saturday in a potential division two title decider.

Both sides won last weekend with Thix maintaining their three-point advantage by beating Malton & Old Malton II.

Joe Robinson (112) smashed his third consecutive century to power Thix to 238-9. Jack Boyd (4-64) was the pick of the Malton bowlers. Miles Flather returned 4-24 to break the back of Malt’s innings.

Ovington were 60-4 against Yapham before Sam Dixon (93) got them to 175-9 at the break. Simon Rodgerson, Dick Buckley and Andy Hockenhull each took two wickets in the reply before Charlie Buckley (3-7) collected late scalps as Yapham folded for 89.

Bishopthorpe maintained their 100 per cent record in division three by beating Pocklington by five wickets in group 'A'. Pock struggled to 106-9, with the Bishops' reply dominated by 69 not out from Sam Davies.

A hat-trick by 18-year-old Will Edwards (5-63) helped Burn II snatch victory by 10 runs at Stamford Bridge.

Visiting skipper Ray Adamson (66) scored his third consecutive half-century as Burn made 178-7. The hosts' reply faltered until David Langton (45) and Liam Easton (37) put on nearly 70 for the fifth wicket. The target was within range but Edwards removed Easton, Ben Beard and Scott Easton in consecutive deliveries to grab victory.

Ovington III moved to the top of the group 'B' by beating Thorpe Willoughby II after a fine bowling performance. Ovington were bowled out for 137, the last five wickets falling for 13 runs, as Danny Crockford finished with 5-19 from nine overs. Thorpe lost half their side with only 11 on the board and were eventually bowled out for 82. Jon Souch returned 7-1-12-4 and got great support from youngsters Jack Walmsley, Luke Smith and Jacob Lamb.

Press Performance of the Week: Dave Fearn’s figures of 12-5-12-6 earned Wheldrake a welcome win against Askham Bryan in division one.