BEN Johnson enjoyed a flying start to life back in the top flight of the HPH York Vale Cricket League.

They won at Burn by five wickets in their first game in the top division since 2011 on Saturday.

Burn’s top four batsmen, led by Leigh Adamson (64), contributed 147 but the middle and lower order collapsed as six ducks were recorded on the way to 160 all out.

Veteran Martin Reynolds (51) guided the newly-promoted printers home to victory on a rain-affected opening day.

In contrast, Fulfordgate suffered a nightmare start being bowled out for just 35 by Stockton & Hopgrove whose Colin Gonsalves and Matt Bradshaw claimed three wickets apiece.

Steve Eyre rattled an unbeaten 75 from only 45 deliveries as Bishopthorpe overhauled North Duffield’s below par 121 with eight wickets in hand.

Pete Kelly was run out for 118 as he put on 191 with Joe Whale (81) for Ovington’s fourth wicket against Melbourne. Last seasons’s division two champions hit back with Liam Barlow (63no) and Oliver Steels (63) shared a 112-run stand as Melbourne raced to 139-2 in reply from 16 overs before rain ended the game.

Only 16 overs were bowled by champions North Cave who had Kelfield at 65-2 before the weather had the final word.

Askham Bryan, having relocated to the University of York ground in Heslington Lane, beat South Cave & Brantingham by six wickets.

Cave were bowled out for 94, Mark Grewer returning figures of 9.1-3- 12-6 before making an unbeaten 31, finishing the game with a six into the clubhouse.

Stillingfleet, who narrowly missed promotion last year, defeated a youthful Ovington II as they collapsed from 74-2 to 100 all out against the off-spin of Chris Woodfine (7-19).

Clifton Alliance were wobbling at 44-3 in pursuit of Westow’s 136 but Alistair Wray (59no) and Richard Marshall (36no) saw them home with no further alarms.

Thorpe Willoughby finished strongly in division three last summer and their form continued with a nine-wicket win against Pocklington with Andy Kirk striking an unbeaten 66.

Yapham opener Gabriel Uttley was run out in the final over for 83 but his side’s 180-8 proved more than enough to beat Selby.

The remarkable Geoff Deighton, who will reach his 80th birthday this season, opened the innings for Bishopthorpe II. Although he was out without scoring against Acomb, the Bishops recovered to win thanks to Rory Watson’s undefeated 50. Earlier Andy Ingle scored 64 for Acomb.

Sixteen-year-old Benedict Tomlinson produced a stunning spell to set up Thorp Arch & Boston Spa’s victory against Tadcaster Magnet in division four.

Tad, needing 149 to win were 42 without loss before Tomlinson came on to return an analysis of 7-0-20-8. Magnet’s last seven wickets fell for 37 runs as they were bowled out for 100.

Thixendale, who almost folded last season, beat Stamford Bridge with Will Megginson proving the star of the show, scoring 63 and taking 4-6 from just 20 deliveries.

He put on 111 for the second wicket with Les Milburn 41.

Press Performance of the Week

TEENAGE bowler Benedict Tomlinson’s 8-20 for Thorp Arch & Boston Spa against Tadcaster Magnet in division four.