University of York Staff power to HPH York Vale Cricket League top-flight championship (From York Press)

University of York Staff power to HPH York Vale Cricket League top-flight championship

2:00pm Thursday 3rd September 2009 in

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UNIVERSITY of York Staff have been crowned HPH York Vale Cricket League champions for the first time.

Their seven-wicket victory at relegated North Duffield wrapped up the title with a week to spare.

Staff, who won last year’s second division crown, joined the league in 1997 and their strong batting line-up has overpowered opponents.

Andy Falkingham led the fight for Duffield with his unbeaten 60, including eight boundaries and a six as the home side totalled 101, the Syed brothers, Salman (4-15) and Usman (3-19) doing most of the damage. Steve Hardy had Uni star Afaq Ahmad caught first ball but Mumtaz Hussein (53) quickly snuffed out any thoughts of a major upset.

A terrific display by Will Rowe (7-39) earned second-placed Clifton Alliance a 58-run win against Drax who were bowled out for 80.

Copmanthorpe sealed the second division championship with a solid five-wicket win at Ovington where they hunted down 153-6, Andy Northfield top-scoring with 46.

Cop will be joined in the top-flight by North Cave, who crushed Askham Bryan by 133 runs. Cave’s Rob Page was caught on the boundary just four runs short of his century.

Kelfield bowler Matthew Walker’s 6-61 saw Heworth out for 134, leaving Andy Charlton to rattle an unbeaten 62 as Kelfield won by seven wickets.

Stockton & Hopgrove inched closer to the division three title with victory against Thorpe Willoughby. Nadeem Shefta (59 and 3-30) starred for Thorpe, who did well to come back from 74-5 after 30 overs to finish with 134-8.

But his effort was eclipsed by Phil Thistleton (60) who finished with a runner after sustaining an injury.

Melbourne came out on top in a tight encounter at Hirst Courtney, whose Philip Alford top-scored with 63. But half-centuries by Malcolm Harrison (59) and Matt Beevers (53) saw ten-man Melbourne hang on to win by seven runs.

Bowlers dominated the battle between Thixendale and Hemingbrough, who were bowled out for 90, despite Jack Scott’s 53. James Wigby recorded super figures of 7-2-6-6 for Dale, who edged home by three wickets after Richard Topping (6-27) made them sweat.

Matty Glew (87 and 3-44) had a great all-round game for Welton & Brough but could not prevent his side from losing their fourth division duel in the final over to Bishopthorpe II, whose Jonathan Green’s 55 was crucial.

Heworth II ended their losing streak with victory against Thorp Arch & Boston Spa with captain Jamie Ingham (56no) and Jordan Edge (4-23) the star men.

Huntington’s division five promotion hopes received a huge blow as they lost to Burn II whose Geoff England took 5-18.

Huntington were leapfrogged by York RI who were gifted victory because Thorpe Willoughby II could not raise a side.

Title rivals Ovington II also moved up as Tadcaster Magnet conceded and then, on Bank Holiday Monday, Ovington hammered Carlton Towers. Ben Janes (112) scored his maiden century as he and Tom Cookson (89) put on 196 in their side’s huge 303-6.