THINGS are tight at the top of HPH York Vale Cricket League division one after the only undefeated record sank at North Duffield.

In a game of four quarters, North openers Lee Wild (70) and Dave Beilby (46) gorged themselves on a feast of Askham Bryan YPO bowling. But following their 115-run stand, batsmen began to rotate like ballerinas on overtime as Mark Grewer bagged 7-46 to send Duffield from 115-0 to 133 all out.

It was essential that Askham kept this form going and at 68-1 all looked well. Then Ray Baggaley (37) fell and wickets tumbled, Lee Wild (4-32) and Chris Coward (4-20) being responsible for a nine-run victory to North Duffield.

Champions Norwich Union found Fulfordgate in good form - but not quite good enough.

Simon Cook (57) and Matt Phillips (56) added 65 for Union's third wicket, Mal Pepper being the pick of the 'Gate bowlers with 3-31. Peter Fairburn (47) and Pepper (74no) then took 'Gate close but Gawaine Hogg's 7-67 eased Union home by nine runs.

British Sugar's Simon Taylor (23) and skipper Steve Bellerby (47) scored the bulk of their side's 106, Tony Raper (5-41) and brother Paul (4-38) doing the damage for Tollerton. Gary Iqbal then took 5-52 to shake Tollerton's fragile batting but not enough to rattle it as Pete Bainbridge guided Tollerton home by four wickets.

Paul Vickers (4-36) inspired Drax to a comfortable victory over Stockton and Hopgrove. Richard Ounsley (3-22) gave support while only Rich Kerrison offered any resistance with 43. Paul Smith's flashing 43 guided Drax past the target of 106 with eight wickets and ten overs to spare.

Tight bowling by Westo's Dave Coverdale (3-11) and Andy Welford (3-19) restricted Bishopthorpe to 115, Ryan Bushell hitting 35. Mark Earle (62no) and Andy Welford (34no) put on 110 to give Westow an easy nine wicket win.

Clifton Alliance remain on top of division three by overpowering Askham Bryan YPO. Willie Knight hit 33 and 29 extras helped Askham to 109. Bill Roddham claimed 4-39 and 'keeper Richard Heald hit 34no in giving Alliance a five wicket win.

Second-placed Heworth had a titanic battle at Thorpe Willoughby. Thorpe were held to 133, Gary Turner with 42. Jon Bonarius (39) then kept the reply going and, with the last-wicket pair needing seven off the last over, Mark Groom hit a six off the final ball to win it. Granville North (4-49) was well supported in defeat by Steve Craven (4-45).

Wistow skipper removed seven Woodhouse Grange batsmen for 47 runs. Chasing 83 for victory and surviving a mid-order wobble, Wistow came out four-wicket winners.

Simon Benson cracked 108 and young James Dawson 57 as Malton and Old Malton reached 232-8 at Drax. John Pennistone was the only Drax bat in double figures with 77 from his side's 133-9.

Ashley Pike's 86 took University of York Staff to 185-8, Tom Copeland being the only York bowler in school with 4-52. Richard Waites then caned the York batting line-up with 6-42. Chris Allinson (47) top scored in York's 165 all out.

Division four leaders Acomb had Ben Wallace (60) and Neil Copley (41) in good form to carry their team to 169-9. Ade Harriss took four Huntington wickets to end their mini revival at 102 all out.

All Malton and Old Malton's batsmen helped them to 210-6 against lacklusture Tadcaster Magnets. George Cooper then bowled 4-18 in 15 overs, restricting Tad to 101-7.

Bishopthorpe tailenders Paul Curzon (27) and Adam Harris (45) put on 65 for the seventh wicket against Selby, Aiden Pearce grabbing 5-25. Despite Gary Wright's 47, Selby could not cope with Derrick Gardiner (3-69) and Mike Brown (3-33) and fell 21 runs adrift.

Gregg Nesbitt (84) and John Howden put on 123 for the second wicket as Melbourne made 235 against Heworth. Nesbitt and Martin Kidd then took three wickets apiece to win by 73 runs.

Mal Harrison spun Pocklington to victory as his 4-21 in 17 overs bowled out Burn for 90. Despite Sean Goldsborough's (4-46) efforts Pock ran out three wicket winners.

Wheldrake outplayed Stockton and Hopgrove to remain the only undefeated side in division five. All of Wheldrake's batsmen made runs in their 182-8, Mark Dobson (3-36) and Simon Duckett (3-50) profiting for Stockton, who then shuffled their pack to look for an ace hitter but were on 110-9 at 40 overs.

Karl Walker stroked 84no in Ovington's 185-4 against Selby. Alan Fletcher (36) and Barry Steele (31) were also in the runs. Despite Guy Baker's 74no, the returning Steele (4-35) and Walker (3-57) earned Ovington a 50-run success.

Copmanthorpe's Liam Elliker took 4-26 to restrict Sheriff Hutton to 84-7. Carl Marsden (50no) wrap-ped up proceedings in the 24th over.

Selby won their second outing of the weekend on the last ball. Tim Crockford (50) and Lewis Smith (34no) saw Thorpe Willoughby to 150 against Jim Barr (5-36). John Nurden (43) set up the tense finale.

Updated: 09:49 Thursday, June 10, 2004