HPH York Vale Cricket League division one champions Norwich Union were beaten at North Duffield on the opening day of the season.

Union posted a respectable 154-5 with Will Phelps top scoring with 47. North Duffield, fancied to do well this summer, were indebted to Lee Wild (pictured right) who rather escaped his way to a match winning 86no. Joe Griffin took 5-36 but could not prevent Duffield running out winners by three wickets.

A ninth wicket stand of 55 between Paul Mizon and Mark Ford helped Bishopthorpe total 166 against Burn. Andy Walton top scored with 38. Burn then fell to Ian Holmes as he clean bowled all seven of his victims for 26 runs as Burn were shot out for 74.

New boys Wheldrake just missed out at Westow. Ben Taylor scored his maiden 50 in Westow's 200-6. Nigel Exton's 62 and 46 extras meant that Wheldrake stalled just eight runs shy.

In division two, new boys York came across a rampant Ben Johnson side. Dave Snowden took 6-59 as York crawled to 119-8. Dean Cameron then sprinted to 74no as BJs won by seven wickets.

Fulfordgate's season got away to a good start against Heworth. Keith Pepper scored 41 of Fulfordgate's 149-7. Jerry Dunnington took 6-53 for Heworth, who then crumbled to 97 all out.

Hirst United found Adam Mosely of Copmanthorpe in fine form. His 5-5 from eight overs skittled United for 63. Nathaniel Reeson took the three wickets that fell in Copmanthorpe's winning reply.

Stockton and Hopgrove skipper Rich Kerrison rescued his side with 61no out of 127-9. Stillingfleet's Dave Rowsby (3-10) and Chris Walker (3-29) made the most of the wicket but their batsmen collapsed to 76 all out under pressure from Ian Smith (4-27) and 14-year-old Jamie Kerrison (3-24)

Bishopthorpe hit 159-5, with John Short scoring 74, in their division three game with Thorpe Willoughby who had no early answer to Paul Coulson (5-23) and were all out for 67.

York University Staff were under pressure against Clifton Alliance bowler Mark Mellor, whose 5-29 restricted them to 127 all out. However, Andy Eammons replied with 4-14 as Clifton crashed to 52 all out.

Dave Brummit inspired his Ovington side to victory against Malton and Old Malton. His late 23no helped Ovington to 125 all out before producing 6-13, including a hat-trick, to bowl Malton out for 78.

Updated: 11:03 Thursday, April 28, 2005