CHAMPIONS Norwich Union got one over on current division one top dogs Bishopthorpe on a knockout weekend in the York Vale Cricket League.

The two sides met in the senior cup competition, the HPH Cup, with Bish battting poorly by their standards, having Andy Walton Knowles (39) to thank for reaching 123 as Dave Johnson took 4-35.

Ranerdeep Banerjee then stroked 48 to guide the nervy Union home by five wickets.

Cup holders Drax I eased into the next round with a big win over veterans Stockton and Hopgrove.

Drax relied on the delicate touch of Rich Ounsley with 63 and 53 from Harvey Thomas to lengthen towards 190 all out, Rich Grimes taking 4-53 for Stockton.

Left-armer Dave Brinded then produced 5-23 to leave Stockton all out on 112.

The closest tie saw Burn hit 167-4 against Wheldrake, Rich Adamson unbeaten on 55. Despite a battling 39no from Graham Daniels, Wheldrake fell three runs short on 164-8. Ashley Abbott took 3-48.

A fine 63no from North Duffield's Dave Bielby saw his side reach 165-7 against Thixendale. Karl Wallis took 4-35 for the second division side. All the Duffield bowlers were too much for Thix and they fell to 60 all out.

Opener Jim Baxter was the Malton and Old Malton I star by hitting 101 as they beat Burton Salmon in the Scothern Construction Cup.

Father and son combo Colin and Max Driscoll shared eight wickets but Salmon's batters lost too many wickets in the early run chase and were all out for 152.

Adrian Davies hit 52, while George Cooper and Matt Bul-mer each took three wickets.

York were left bewildered by Jerry Dunnington's accuracy for Heworth. Dunnington took 4-25 in York's 158-8. Dave Wood (70no) and Tim Outram (79no) knocked off the runs without loss for an easy win.

Ben Johnson batsmen all contributed to a 212 scoreline, Neil Drew (41) being the best on the day. Despite young Dean Bryon's maiden 50no, Clifton Alliance could only manage 173-6.

Wistow's Lee Clayton hit 112 against Askham Bryan YPO II to enable a score of 179-3. Askham's Colin Garnett responded with 52 but a spell of 4-36 from Wistow skipper Jamie Middleton meant a 28-run win for Wistow.

Ovington I were indebted to Barry Steel's 79 against University of York Staff. The score of 253-8 was also supported by 56 extras of which 29 were wides. This was too much for the Staff and despite 48 from Andrew Watt they finished 111 runs adrift.

Thorpe Willoughby I got the better of a youthful Tadcaster Magnet side. Thorpe hit 150, Dave Watson top-scoring with 59. Wilson and Key both took three wickets for Tadcaster. Lewis Smith then took 4-17 as Magnet were bowled out for 92.

In a game dominated by bowlers, Stockton and Hopgrove were dismissed for just 58 - leg-spinner Dave Brunyard bowling ten overs with five maidens for six runs and six wickets.

The Selby youngster was assisted by Steve Morrin who took 3-11. Selby then lost six wickets before overtaking the Stockton total.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, June 16, 2005