Bishopthorpe retained their unbeaten record and leadership of HPH York Vale Cricket League division one with a 33-run win at Wheldrake.

A solid batting performance saw them reach maximum batting points with C Moores (40) and D Williams (34) leading the way to 176-6. Wheldrake were always behind in the run chase with inroads regularly made by R Bushell and C Makin, who shared eight wickets.

However, the Bishops need to keep an eye on Drax, the only team still able to pip them to their first top-flight title.

The pair meet on Saturday and Drax maintained the pressure with maximum points against British Sugar. K Powell hit a fine unbeaten 145, followed by Daz Brindred's 5-51, as Drax romped home by 168 runs.

North Duffield's young side came unstuck at Westow. Trevor Brittain (26), C Coward (44) and John Patrick (31no) salvaged the Duffield innings to help them to 156-8, Dave Coverdale taking 5-47.

Westow's reply was short and sweet with Mark Earle (67no) and Andy Welford (74) knocking up 133 for the second wicket.

Askham Bryan/YPO have a narrow lead at the top of division four despite losing at home to Woodhouse Grange by seven wickets.

They were restricted to 129-9 with A McKenzie hitting 44. In reply, Grange lost three middle order men for ducks, but young opener C R Bilton struck a fluent half-century before retiring hurt. A Kenny was unbeaten on 64.

Drax's promotion hopes were dented when they lost by six wickets at Copmanthorpe. J Brook (42) topped the Drax innings of 121, but Copmanthorpe openers Will Howes (22) and Peter Newton (65) put on 96 to set up victory.

Huntington's relegation fate was sealed when beaten at Ovington, whose top order of Pervez Akhter, D Jones, C Storey and T Cookson all scored freely in their 191-8.

Huntington opener J Halliwell top-scored with 27 and a personal best 24 from Dave Wadsworth could not halt a 55-run loss, 15-year-old debutant Chris Peace taking three wickets.

Heworth had the better of the relegation battle at Selby with A Thrall hitting 67 out of Heworth's 150-6 and taking 5-45 in Selby's 137 reply.

The top two division five teams met at Melbourne, where the hosts beat Wheldrake by 11 runs.

Melbourne's M Howden hit 40 to lead them to 75-1 only for Kevin Dent (6-53) and Harry Codling (3-32) to strike.

P Coe hit a rapid 27, but three run-outs and M Kidd's 4-26 put Wheldrake under early pressure from which they could not recover.

Updated: 10:52 Thursday, August 25, 2005