CLIFTON Alliance secured the first silverware of the HPH York Vale Evening League season with a convincing win over Thixendale in the HPH Cup final.

Hosting the final, holders Alliance won the toss and inserted their division one rivals, the bowlers initially being made to work hard for wickets as the Thixendale innings looking well set at 48-1 after 16 overs.

But backed by exceptional fielding, the home attack then began to make inroads with the dismissal of Thix skipper Simon Walgate to a brilliant caught and bowled by George Brown (3-13) opening the door to a middle-order collapse leaving the villagers well short at 81 all out.

The Alliance batsmen made light work of the reply. Skipper Jason Gatus (32) led the charge to victory, which was completed within 16 overs.

In the league, the leading sides in division one had indifferent afternoons. Leaders Alliance (129-9) found batting hard work at Yapham (131-4) with only captain Gatus (50) mastering the conditions. Henry Kay (3-41) and Dan Einstein (4-19) shared the wickets.

The hosts were indebted to the fifth-wicket partnership between Thomas Binns (44 not out) and Joe Moore (25no) to claim a notable victory.

Second-placed Thixendale (65) had a miserable afternoon on their trip to a rejuvenated Stockton & Hopgrove (66-0), losing by 10 wickets. Tom Williams (3-11) was the stand-out bowler.

Rich Kerrison (30no) and Rob Cockerill (31no) then saw Stockton home without any alarms.

Third-placed Burn (233-9) returned to winning ways with a heavy defeat of visitors Melbourne (122). Runs from Scott Hunt (98), Ben Steward (29) and Jacob Webster (25no) set up the victory with Matthew Leatham (4-9) and Ashley Abbott (4-38) completing the win.

Only Adam Thomas (50) provided any resistance.

Ovington (192-9) dominated proceedings on their trip to Kelfield (105). Opener Finn Baqui (59) provided the foundation to the visitors' total, with the home wickets shared between Phil Cornfield (5-69) and Christopher Walker (3-50). T

Kelfield had no answer to Ovington’s openers, Dominic Everard (5-8) and Jack Walmsley (3-23) knocking over the top order. The only resistance came from the hosts' number 10 Jacob Atkinson (35).

l For division two, visit www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport.

Stamford Bridge continue to dominate proceedings in division two, beating strugglers Thorpe Willoughby. Solid batting from Ian Fraser (39), Sam Brown (27) and Dan Moseley (43no) set up their 11th league win.

Pocklington (145-1) continued their run of good form at Clifton Alliance (144-3), an 83-run second-wicket partnership between Liam Serginson (57no) and Dan Croft (41no) securing the victory.

Dunnington (152-9) maintained their position in the top three through a convincing win over visitors Ben Johnson (72), with Ed Millington (7-23) spinning his side to victory in a devastating seven-over spell.

Thorpe Willoughby (115-2) cemented their position as division three leaders with a routine win over Bolton Percy (114-9), a 93 partnership between Andy Moore (54no) and Ed Hutchinson (28no) seeing them home.

Second-placed Burn (174) were on the wrong side of a close encounter against Stamford Bridge (175-8), whose Liam Easton (78) provided the match-winning innings after his side had struggled to 69-5.

Selby (53) were again bowled out, cheaply enabling Pocklington (54-1) to ease to victory within 12 overs.

Rain had the final say at Heslington (145-2) as the home side were in strong position chasing the Bishopthorpe (190-5) target built on good knocks from Mark Elliot (65) and Colin Markham (41no).

An opening century partnership (129) between skipper Iain Tessier (80) and Dave Fairclough (39) left the game well poised before the rain storms intervened.

Press Player of the Week goes to Dunnington spinner Millington (7-23).