Burythorpe took maximum points against Aldby as they extended their lead at the top of division one of the Horwath Pulleyn Heselton York Vale League.

ON THE ATTACK: William Reynolds (above) and Mark White (below) batting for Bishopthorpe during their division four victory over Drax

The Burythorpe total of 224 for eight was built upon the back of two good partnerships, Steven Towse (42) and Phil Hill (79) putting on 79 for the second wicket and Hill with Andrew Milner (33) adding another 64 for the third wicket. The wickets were shared by the Aconleys, Pete three for 67 and Brian five for 64.

Pete Aconley (45) and John Leeming, whose 71 included six sixes, had a fine partnership of 103 for the second wicket for relegation-threatened Aldby but with no other batsmen in double figures they were dismissed for 150, Mark Fairweather taking six for 27.

CGU remain in second place following their ten wicket win at Heworth.

John Goodway 71 and David Whittle 23 helped Ovington to reach 155 for eight at York. Bob Hobson and Kieran Barton both took three wickets. York cast aside the loss of opener Chris Taylor with M Sheikh (28) and Peter Dobson (66) scoring freely, the winning runs coming in the 29th over.

David Cartwright (three for 35) and John Finch (three for 27) restricted Bishopthorpe to 118 on a slow turner at Ferry Lane, Will Reynolds top scoring with 28. Mike Brown took six for 12 from 14 overs and with three to Derek Gardiner, Drax were dismissed for 43.

While the Atkinson family provided five members of the Kelfield side they still could not prolong their stay in the top division. Neil anchored the Kelfield innings with 69 from the team score of 130 for nine, while Stockton Hopgrove bowlers Nigel Collinson took three for 13 and Derrick Fryer took five for 45.

Andy Atkinson took five for 54 and Rob Cole two for 67 for Kelfield, Collinson top scoring with 47 with the winning runs coming in the last over.

The chase for the second division pennant is intriguing. Last week's top two Burn and Fulfordgate met at Linnett Park where the hosts won by six wickets but not before a few alarms. The 'Gate, batting first, lost their last five wickets for 13 runs to Dave Queenan (four for 15) and Davie Prime (three for 16).

In reply Burn were 30 for four with Keith Bevan, who also top scored for the 'Gate, taking the four wickets. Adie Huetson and Mike Giles (both 26 not out) put together an unbeaten fifth wicket stand of 53 to see Burn clinch the match.

As a result, Burn keep up their promotion hopes while Fulfordgate slip to fifth and with only two games to play seem to have missed the boat.

Following their two games over the weekend, Royal Mail have taken over the lead despite one win and one loss.

Steve Bellerby carried his bat for 81 against his former club British Sugar as the Royal Mail reached 165 for six. Mark Bellerby upstaged his brother with an unbeaten 86 but went unrewarded as the Postmen ran out winners by 27 runs.

Thorpe Willoughby visited the Royal Mail on Sunday and in beating them by 23 runs inflicted a severe dent in the hosts' promotion hopes while putting themselves very much in the frame. Batting first, Nigel Emery's 42 was the backbone of the Thorpe innings of 112 for nine. Glynn Botterill was the pick of the home attack with four for 23.

The Postmen were in serious trouble at 19 for five as Emery (seven for 37) continued to dominate the game and his all round performance was the match winner.

The previous day it was Paul Bogie who starred for Thorpe with 47 and three for 19 as they triumphed at Woodhouse Grange. Danny Izzard (five for 59) gave a good bowling performance for the 'Grange who are still battling against relegation.

Westow, batting first against Elvington, reached 154 for nine, Chris Brigham 95 not out and John Bullock taking six for 71. Roy Lawson 63 and Jason Sinclair 33 provided the bulk of the Elvington runs. Dave Coverdale took five for 15 as Westow edged home by 11 runs.

Colin Garnett (57) and Mark Steffani (37) gave Askham Bryan a platform for a good score but it was not to be, Keith Blackburn returning five for 50 as Wilberfoss restricted them to 140 for six. Another impressive knock from James Crawford (55 not out) anchored the 'Foss reply who won by four wickets to maintain their promotion challenge.

Upset as Clifton crash to defeat

Division four leaders Clifton Alliance crashed to a big defeat at Huntington where the hosts ran up 182 for two. Dick Kendall and Brian Pudsey put on 93 for the opening wicket and Dean Walton along with Darren Willis added 59 for an unbroken third wicket.

John Gilhan, with a patient 41, held the Clifton innings together but support was minimal as only number 11 Bob Taylor reached double figures.

Burn took advantage of Clifton's defeat to move to the top of the league by rattling up 226 for two at Heworth. Andy Watson had a brilliant unbeaten century. Heworth started well with John Dale reaching 44 and M Winterburn 29 not out, but no-one had any answer to John Wilson who returned five for 34.

Joining Burn are Melbourne who were run close by Stillingfleet. John Howden dominated the Melbourne innings of 115 with 70 and Chris Walker took seven for 23. The Fleet started well with Archie Brough and Ian Smith reaching 31 before Melbourne introduced their veteran spinners, Ken Hayton and Bruce Craven, whose combined ages of 116 turned the game round with 29 overs of spin and nine wickets between them.

Bishopthorpe struggled to reach 113 against Drax, Mike Reeson and Andy Copeland top scoring. John Brook took five for 40 and John Penistone three for 36 with Tom Hammond taking the last two wickets from three balls.

Nick Severn and Danny Hennesey helped Drax along to 85 for four but they were undone by a piece of smart fielding from Andy Spence and Derek Slack (four for 36). Andy Copeland polished off the tail.

Drax are joined at the bottom by Wistow who were held to 110 for four at home to Tadcaster, who knocked off the runs for the loss of four wickets.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.