PLENTY of HPH York Vale Cricket League opening batsmen have been making hay in the blistering sun.

Among them were Leigh Adamson (104) and Tom Bourke (75) who put on 149 for Burn against Clifton Alliance in division one.

With Adamson notching his second century of the season, Burn racked up 286-9.

Although several Clifton players made good starts, they lost by 51 runs, but 13-year-old Matthew Simms scoring an unbeaten 48.

Ovington openers James Harrod (60) and Matt Spooner (46) enjoyed a 97-run partnership against South Cave & Brantingham, enabling Harry Buckley (38) and Liam Herringshaw (54no) to take the hosts to 227-4.

Cave’s Nerendra Pai (45) hit the first two balls of the innings for four but wickets soon fell before Arun Kalwani (46) smacked 16 off the first three balls of an Andy Hockenhull over, as Ovington began to wobble.

It took a captain’s performance from Dick Buckley (4-26) to come to his team’s rescue as Cave fell from 109-2 to 171 all out.

A stand of 140 between Jacob Stephenson (94) and Matthew Shipley (44) put Westow in charge against Kelfield.

With Ali Fothergill scoring 53, the league leaders piled up a big total despite the efforts of Ben Atkinson (4-65) and Ryan Lorryman (4-80).

Kelfield were always behind the game with Craig Lawson (71) their top scorer.

Will Hughes, bowling for only the second time this season, took 4-12.

Chris Copeland was Askham Bryan’s saving grace against Melbourne as he hauled their total from 62-6 to 114 with 42 not out.

Scott Coupland took 5-23 and Melbourne openers James Coupland (50no) and Adam Thomas (55no) needed only 18 overs to knock off the runs.

Thixendale amassed 231-6 against Wheldrake after Les Milburn (58) and Ray Walker (41) put on 95 for the first wicket before contributions by Edward Simpson (46) and John Flint (45).

Miles Flather (4-34) dismissed Wheldrake’s top bat Anthony Carter with the third ball of the innings.

Tom Brader then mopped up the tail with 4-13.

Top v bottom in division two went according to form with Stockton & Hopgrove beating Thorpe Willoughby who were bowled out for 115, Tom Williams taking late wickets for 4-17.

Jamie Kerrison (39) got Stockton off to a flier before Andy Cowan and Steve Fraser, who both made 37 not out, finished the game in the 35th over.

Yapham only managed nine runs off the last eight overs against Bishopthorpe to finish on 122-9, Matthew Hollett taking 4-29.

Bishopthorpe lost three wickets in the first 10 overs and went on to lose by 10 runs in the penultimate over, Will Cardy enjoying a four-wicket haul.

Selby opener Sam Mason (45) made a bright start against Sessay before Andrew Dawson (4-25) sparked a collapse.

Sessay openers Tom Reid (48) and 14-year-old Craig Baptist (89no) raced to 62 after 10 overs to set up victory.

Dunnington skipper Steve Jackson scored his second century of the season in division three, eventually retiring with a leg injury on 107 against Pocklington.

He was the junior partner in an opening stand of 146 in just 18 overs with Ed Hammond who scored 75 from just 43 balls.

Freddie Hara took 4-41 as Dunnington totalled 262-8.

Pocklington were in disarray at 74-8, as Jordan Richardson took 4-29, before recovering to 146 all out.

Thorpe Willoughby II overcame Yapham II’s 175 with a ball to spare, the innings of Loggy Stones (36no) in partnership with Andy Moore (38) and Tony Hinch (21no) the key to victory.

Half-centuries by Ben Steward (54), Adrian Huetson (53) and Norman Elliott (77no) saw Burn II to a match-winning 262-3 against Clifton Alliance II.

Press Performance of the Week

Youngster Craig Baptist scored an impeccable 89 not out against Selby to keep Sessay on track for the division three title