PLAY-OFF qualifiers York strengthened their position at the top of Zone ‘A’ of the York & District Junior Cricket Association Quality Solicitors Burn & Company Under-9s Championship by beating Ovington ‘A’.

Darsh Johar top scored with 27 not out, Joe Wilkinson hit 18 and Elias Smith 15. Wilkinson also took 1-5 with 2-2 from Alex Wood and 1-3 from Finlay Recchia. Zac Blower returned figures of 1-7.

Clifton Alliance beat visitors Ovington ‘A’ to move into third place.

Five players made it to double figures, led by 30 not out from Jamie Hudson. He was well supported by Ollie Brooke-Humphrey 18 not out, Toby Baker 14 not out, Matthew Carruthers 13 and Jake Mead 12 not out.

Hudson also finished with figures of 1-9, Baker took 1-5 and Carruthers 1-12. For Ovington, Zac Blower took 1-6.

Alliance also took the points against Heworth ‘B’ with runs from Brooke-Humphrey (21). For Heworth, Reece Thompson made ten, Adam Peters took 1-14 and Jacob Inkster 1-16.

Ovington ‘A’ got the better of hosts Heworth ‘B’ thanks to a considerable number of extras.

Acomb cemented their second place with a big win over Sheriff Hutton Bridge. Billy Armistead took 1-2 but then hit 40, Thomas Wood went better with 48 not out with support from both Annie Brown, who made 27 not out, and Charlie Grayson (20no).

With Malton and Old Malton close on their heels, nothing but a win at home to Stamford Bridge would see Heworth ‘A’ qualify for the play-offs in Zone ‘B’ and they duly obliged.

Benjamin Sellers hit 21 not out with Edward Hanley making 20 not out and Felicity Jones 16.

With the ball, William Stone took 1-0 and Adam Wong 1-4.

In a mid-table clash Acomb ‘B’ beat Dunnington ‘B’ by 61 runs.

Both Clifton Alliance and York had home victories over Ovington ‘C’ in Zone ‘C’ of the Quality Solicitors Burn & Company U9s Development League.

For York, Ellie Gospel (20), Ben Moore (23) and Alfie Palmer (18) starred with the bat and, with the ball, Ben Wright took 1-4, Hugo Nixon 1-4 and Billy Urwin 1-5.

Wheldrake beat York ‘A’ to maintain their unbeaten record at the top of the table.

Four batsmen were not out with Joe Plevey hitting 19, Matt Wills 14, Emily Goodman 11 and Danny Exton 13. With the ball, Plevey took 1-4 with 1-7 from Finn Patchesa both bettered by 2-6 from Oliver Lambert.

For York, Ben Wright made 13 not out and took 2-9 and Hugo Nixon 12 not out and 1-12.