By Graham Purdy

 

VALE League leaders Clifton Alliance successfully defended 131, their lowest score of the season, to record a sixth straight league win at Ovington (100-9).

Openers Jake Mead (31) and Alistair Wray (36) recorded the only meaningful partnership of the game as Dick Buckley (5-36) and Simon Rogerson (3-28) used the conditions to good effect, dismissing the visitors in their final over.

The visitors responded strongly with the ball with only Dom Everard (27 not out) able to withstand the bowling of Lewis Clark (4-12) and Cristofer Gwilliam Lopez (3-14) as Alliance extended their lead at the top of the division.

Thixendale’s fell to a surprise defeat at Melbourne, who dismissed the visitors for 79 thanks initially to Harry Forman (3-22) ripping through their top order. Spinner Robin Miller (4-4) then mopped up the tail, taking a hat-trick to dismiss the last three bats and Melbourne (82-2) completed the victory inside 15 overs.

Kelfield (135) also struggled to post a competitive score against Yapham (136-5).

South Cave & Brantingham (45) fell to a heavy defeat at Stamford Bridge (132), who recovered from 34-7. Bridge were indebted to a partnership of 87 between Mark Taylor (73no) and the evergreen Graham Tipping (29) before Fenton Griffiths (5-11) helped to dismiss the visitors inside 20 overs.

Stockton & Hopgrove (172) recorded their fourth league win as Dunnington (84-9) fell short with the bat. Top-order scores from Rich Kerrison (44), Rob Cockerill (34) and Dan Durkin (35) paved the way for the home side win with the Stockton bowlers sharing the wickets.

Ben Johnson (219-4) claimed top spot in division two with a convincing win over Pocklington (74).

Hirst Courtney (125-5) share first place after victory at Burn (124).

A depleted Ovington (15) were no match for Thorpe Willoughby (193-3) while the Heworth (120-8) tail rescued a win against Hemingbrough (100), who collapsed to the bowling of Raul Patel (3-25) and Andy Inkster (6-23).

Mick Wood (34), Dave Cockerill (57) and Richard Waites (28no) put Clifton Alliance (179-6) in a strong position against Wheldrake (131-9). Waites (3-13) followed up his runs with decisive wickets, opening bowler Annie Brown (3- 20) returning to clean-up the visitor’s tail.

There were home wins for Heslington and Heworth in division three with Thorpe Willoughby (134-7) winning narrowly at Stamford Bridge (133-8).

James Foley (64no) steered Pocklington (100-3) into the next round of the Scothern Construction Cup as they defeated Ovington (100) in a re-arranged cup fixture.

Player of the week: Stamford Bridge teenager Fenton Griffiths for his 5-11 against South Cave.