OVINGTON’S James Ekersley hit a maiden unbeaten century but still finished on the losing side in a HPH Vale League division one defeat to Yapham.

With two jumpers and beanie hats the order of the day amid challenging weather conditions during the second week of fixtures, Ekersley’s 101 not out saw the hosts reach 176-6 on a revitalised Knavesmire pitch.

Yapham secured victory with eight balls to spare, however, for the loss of just two wickets, with Craig Fairey’s unbeaten 78 central to the successful run chase.

In a rain-delayed and shortened game, Thixendale beat Burn with just seven balls remaining.

Targeting Burn’s 139-5 off 25 overs, Thixendale were indebted to 63 from opening bat Joe Robinson.

Batting first at Melbourne, Clifton Alliance struggled to master the conditions with their modest 108 proving insufficient.

The home side ran out winners, courtesy of the partnership between Oliver Steels (28 no) and Brian Underwood (21no), after Clifton’s Lewis Clark (5-27) had earlier given the visitors hope.

Askham Bryan slumped to a 135-run defeat to Stockton & Hopgrove, whose 262-9 included a quickfire 60 by Jamie Kerrison.

Only Phil Allen (72) showed any resistance for Askham as Dean Tyler (3-33) and Shanaka Fernando (3-27) impressed for Hopgrove.

In division two, Hemingbrough (182-8) overcame a young Clifton (115-8) side by 67 runs with Charlie Brackley (43) and Granville North (48) starring.

Clifton’s 14-year-old pair Annie Brown (3-35) and Ollie Brookes Humphrey (31) both impressed in defeat, but North (4-28) completed a profitable day by claiming most of the middle order.

Neil Drew (41) top-scored for Ben Johnson (131-7) as they overcame Wheldrake (75) in a rain-curtailed game.

Early wickets from Darren Snowden (4-14) and then more from Zac Blower (4-10) sealed the victory.

Another high-scoring game featuring Dunnington (220-7) saw them turn over near-neighbours Pocklington (167-8) by 53 runs.

The young Dunnington team had a characteristic fast start from Harry Paver (47 from 20 balls) with Steve Jackson’s 50 held the innings together before a sparkling 98 from Max Wilson took them past the 200 mark.

After early losses, Pocklington lacked the telling innings to challenge in their reply.

Stamford Bridge (217-9) proved another stiff challenge for Sessay (107), inflicting a 110-run defeat on the newly-promoted outfit.

Dan Mosley starred with bat and ball for Stamford with a 36-ball 50 followed by a spell of 3-18.

For Sessay, Ian Watkinson (4-48) and Niamh Hall (4-36) performed well, while 16-year-old Ophelia Watson top-scored on 37 and was supported by 15-year-old Cameron Luck, who contributed 28.

Sam Dunn was the star of the show for Hirst Courtney in their eight-wicket defeat of Thorpe Willoughby, taking 4-2 and top scoring with 35.

Burn (103) continued their winning start with a narrow 12-run victory over Ovington (91) in division three.

With runs hard to come by, the bowlers took the honours, as Ovington’s Ranjan Ranjan claimed 5-23 and Burn pair Phil McVicker (3 -19) and Lucas Webster (4-30) also finished on strong figures.

Heslington suffered their second defeat at Thorpe Willoughby after being rolled over for 59 with spinners Andy Moore and Nigel Huggins taking three wickets apiece.

Tom Lawson (126) was the standout performer in Stamford Bridge’s 104-run defeat of Bolton Percy.

The Press Performance of the Week: Dunnington junior Max Wilson falling two short of his maiden century, hitting 98 v Pocklington.