STOCKTON & Hopgrove moved out of the HPH York Vale Cricket League division one relegation zone for the first time this season by beating free-falling Wheldrake.

It was Wheldrake’s sixth successive defeat and leaves them in the bottom two alongside Ben Johnson.

Wheldrake bowled Stockton out in the last over for 98 with spinners Anthony Carter (4-25) and Mark Cass (4-41) doing most of the damage. Tom Williams reduced Wheldrake to 22-4 and they were eventually bowled out for 48, the card including five ducks.

Burn’s Matthew Leetham took a hat-trick as Ben Johnson were bowled out for 84. Burn openers Tom Bourke (39no) and Ed Clark (35no) knocked off the runs inside 13 overs.

The defeat left BJ in bottom spot but Askham Bryan also entered the relegation equation after struggling to 97 all out against leaders Ovington.

Ben Busby took 2-13 off 10 overs and Iain Kirkup included a double wicket maiden in his 3-7.

Opening pair Tom Cookson (54) and Pete Kelly (18) put on 60 in five overs as Ovington strolled to an eight-wicket victory.

Westow kept up the pressure on Ovington by beating Melbourne by 77 runs.

Westow’s Mark Earle (48) hit some big sixes in a total of 185-7 before being dismissed by James Coupland (3-40). Melbourne were bowled out for 108, Jacob Stephenson (4-33) and Dave Coverdale (3-13) clearing up the tail.

Andy Charlton (48) defied a knee injury to rescue Kelfield from 35-6 to post 156-8 against Clifton Alliance. Matt Mellor grabbed 4-94 and Richard Marshall 3-28.

Clifton slumped to 64-6 before a stand of 41 between all-rounders Mellor (39) and Marshall (23) gave them some hope but they were bowled out for 136, Sam Dunn taking 4-26.

Thixendale’s Joe Robinson smashed the season’s highest individual score as he clubbed 178 against Thorpe Willoughby in division two.

Thix were on 54-3, but the destructive Robinson powered them to 328-8, sharing a sixth-wicket stand of 144 with debutant and fellow Driffield RUFC team-mate Carl Grey (47). The home side scored 269 off the last 20 overs. In contrast, Thorpe were bowled out for 58.

The result sent Thixendale to the top of the table as previous leaders South Cave & Brantingham lost at Ovington II, who moved into second place.

Needing 141 to win, Ovington slid from 103-3 to 129-8 before they won with an over to spare.

Hemingbrough were humbled by being bowled out for 22, the lowest team score by any side this season, by Hirst Courtney.

James Hinchcliffe and Luke Mitchell took two wickets each before Bradley Brown took 5-3 off 5.3 overs. Hirst needed only 15 deliveries to knock off the runs.

Bishopthorpe continued their quest to go through the league season unbeaten by beating Acomb by eight wickets in group 'A' of division three. Acomb were bowled out for 66, Jamie Blackburn taking 4-21. Mike Dale struck an unbeaten 41 for the Bishops.

Stamford Bridge II beat Ovington III by three wickets in a group 'B' game which went down to the last over. Ovington totalled 142, John Moore taking 4-23 from 10 overs. Josh Moore (40) got Bridge off to a good start and they squeezed home despite good bowling from 13-year-olds Finn Baqai and Jack Walmsley, who was making his senior debut.

Burn II were bowled out for 86 by Thorpe Willoughby II - Ray Adamson dominating the innings with 61. Lewis Smith included a double wicket maiden in his 4-10. Thorpe lost four cheap wickets before Sam Hinch (43no) and Lewis Smith (25no) sealed victory.

Press Performance of the Week: Thixendale’s Joe Robinson smashed the season’s highest individual score as he clubbed 178 against Thorpe Willoughby in division two.