WHAT a difference a day makes.

Just 24 hours after an embarrassing loss to eight-man North Cave, Stockton & Hopgrove reversed the result in the HPH Cup semi-final, winning by nine runs to book a place in the final against Bishopthorpe, who defeated Askham Bryan.

Cave were a man light and were under pressure from the start as Matt Durkin (41) and Tom Williams (39) enjoyed an opening partnership of 72.

Matt Bradshaw (38) and Steve Fraser (44no) anchored the innings which closed on 205-7. Mark Woodall took 3-48.

Cave made a sedate start before closing in on their target through Tom Baxter (85), Rob Page (37) and James Windeatt (36). All three fell to Rich Grimes (5-47) whose efforts curbed the reply to 196-9.

Bishopthorpe had a much easier passage, beating Vale League first division bottom club Askham Bryan by 41 runs.

Askham, who included several second teamers in their line-up, made early inroads as Pete Wood (3-28) took three top-order Bishopthorpe scalps. Colin Markham scored an unbeaten 104 – his first ton for the club – and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 121 with Danny Williams (47) as Bish powered to 229-6.

Askham mustered 188-8 in reply with Craig Ferguson (44) and Mark Green (34) to the fore. Scott Reeves picked up three late wickets to finish with 3-35.

The final will be held at Heworth on Sunday, August 4.