YORK IV crushed Ovington II by eight wickets in the final of the York Vale Cricket League Prendergast Memorial Cup final at Tadcaster.

The division three leaders had too many big guns for a young Ovington side led by Alan Fletcher.

Ovington, who top division five, found the pace and accuracy of Matthew Hodsdon too much to handle. Only J Bonner was able to attack Hodsdon's bowling with his best stroke being a pull for four off a ball only just short of a length.

Hodsdon finished with 4-11 off eight overs and was supported by Sumit Mitra, captain Tom Copeland, and New Zealander Jon Sharpe, who took 3-12 off six overs.

Ovington were dismissed for 51 off 27 overs and York set about the run chase with gusto. Matthew Boyle misjudged a short ball and went lbw for nine, having been dropped earlier, but Sharpe's 33 eased York to victory with eight wickets to spare.

Updated: 09:51 Thursday, September 02, 2004