BEN BUSBY’S brilliant bowling display got Ovington out of trouble to keep them on course for the HPH York Vale Cricket League division one title.

His team were stunned when they were bowled out on a spin-friendly wicket for 82 by lowly Wheldrake, whose Mark Cass took 6-15.

Ovington responded in dramatic fashion to skittle their hosts for just 19, the lowest Vale League total for many a year, with slow bowler Busby virtually unplayable with figures of 11-8-9-5.

Ovington’s win meant second-placed Westow, eight points adrift at the top, could not afford to lose at Clifton Alliance the next day. The Ryedale side emerged winners by 57 runs.

Westow’s top six batsmen all contributed 24 or more in a rock-solid display led by Andrew Phillips (39) after Mark Earle (25) and Andrew Welford (35) had put on 64 for the first wicket. Matthew Shipley made 31 before being run out, Jacob Stephenson scored 24 and Ali Fothergill (35no) pushed Westow on to 204-5 at tea.

Alliance’s batsmen were soon on the back foot at 29-3 and, despite 46 from Lewis Clark, the introduction of Dave Coverdale (4-21) saw the last five wickets fall for the addition of just 21 runs.

The title race will therefore go down to the last day, when Ovington host relegation-threatened Stockton & Hopgrove and Westow face Ben Johnson, who are already down.

Stockton & Hopgrove improved their chances of avoiding the drop with victory against bottom club Johnson.

The printers started well with Danny Cameron (42) shining before falling to a superb catch on the boundary by Kalum Perera off Rich Grimes (4-41). Johnson crashed from 150-6 to 151 all out and Stockton sealed a comfortable six-wicket win thanks to a stand of 91 between Rich Kerrison (56no) and Jamie Kerrison (49).

Askham Bryan are still not clear of trouble after losing to Kelfield, who were sped to victory by a strong unbroken partnership between Chris Walker (46no) and Matt Walker (44no).

Burn gained revenge for their Mitchell Cup final defeat against Melbourne a fortnight ago by rattling up 260-3 against them.

Leigh Adamson (73) and Ben Steward (56) set the tone with an opening stand of 106, Adamson hitting 10 fours and three sixes. Harry Cruise then notched an unbeaten 80 and Melbourne could only make 180 in reply.

Thixendale wrapped up the division two title – their third successive promotion – by walloping Hemingbrough.

Jonty Gillingham led the way with 83, supported by Joe Megginson (49no) and Richard Green (37) as Thix totalled 236-7. The standout bowler for Hemingbrough was Andy Rowley (6-55). The leaders then rolled over Hemingbrough for 66 with 23 of those being extras.

Ovington II won a low-scoring contest against Fulfordgate at Millthorpe School by four wickets.

Fulfordgate crumbled to 88 all out but Dave Baldock gave them hope by clean bowling four batsmen to leave Ovington reeling at 16-4 after seven overs. Opener Andy Cole, coming off the back of three ducks in three innings, saw Ovington home with a solid 39 not out.

South Cave & Brantingham maintained their promotion push with victory against Stamford Bridge, who were bowled out for 159, B Hewitt making 51.

Sid Sharma took 3-15 then dominated Cave’s reply with 73.

Thorpe Willoughby put their recent dismal run behind them to win by 117 runs at Malton & Old Malton.

Tony Hinch (62) top scored for the visitors with 62 and put on 91 for the third-wicket with Ross Powell (41). Charlie Coulson returned 5-40 for Malton, whose batsmen crashed to 61 all out in 15.1 overs, seamer Andy Jackson taking 4-20.

Alex Barraclough struck 79 in Hirst Courtney’s match-winning 209-8 against Yapham, who struggled to get to grips with Alex Hinchliffe, who finished with 4-15 from 9.1 overs.

Press Performance of the Week: Bowler Ben Busby put in a possible division one title-saving performance for Ovington with figures of 11-8-9-5 to skittle Wheldrake.