SHERIFF Hutton are having one of their best seasons for some time and transferred their good York and District Senior Cricket League form into Edward Readman Trophy.

The competition is operating on a handicap basis of 15 runs per division for the first time and Sheriff Hutton overcame a deficit of 15 to trounce Cawood by eight wickets in the first round.

The star of the show was 17-year-old Joel Wilford who made his maiden century in reaching an unbeaten 111. Brian Dale supported with 27. Earlier James Pearson had made 33 in Cawood's total which was enhanced to 201-9 by the 60- run handicap start.

A magnificent first round game at St George's Road saw Londesbrough Park emerge with a seven-run advantage over Harrogate.

Londesbrough's Charlie Rook made an unbeaten 115 and had sound support from George Drury with 54 and Chris Barlow 39. Harrogate's chase was led by Charles Crawley and Ian Mercer who put on 105 for the second wicket until Mercer fell for 44.

Crawley seemed to be taking his side to victory as he moved to his century. This was expanded to 137 before he became the fifth wicket to fall at 225 but this proved to be a turning point as Paul Youngman claimed 5-70 to peg the hosts to 266-9, a mere eight runs short of a memorable win.

New Earswick did not require their 15-run start to beat Tadcaster Magnet side who didn't challenge Earswick's 207-8. Earswick opener Andy Freeman was caught at cover off the final delivery for 99. Andy Routledge assisted with 38 and there was a promising performance from 16-year-old left-arm spinner Mark Selves who took 3-49. Tadcaster crumbled to 113 all out against the bowling of Paul Stimpson (3-14) and John Routledge (3-41).

Thorp Arch's batsmen were in the runs when they batted first at Wilberfoss with Andy Hawkswell making 135 as the vistors made 247 which was enhanced by 45 handicap runs to 292. Wilberfoss second team skipper Pete Edmondson took 4-38 and then followed with an unbeaten 28. Phil Stothard 31 and Neil Smith 30 aided the home cause but the home side closed on 191-8 and succumbed by 56 runs.

First division Whitkirk played off scratch when they visited Bolton Percy, who had a 15-run start, but this made little difference as the Leeds side pounded the home bowlers to notch up a massive 324-5. Bolton's batsmen made a spirited display with Danny White hitting 91, Phil Salter 46 and Ali Rigby 49 which enabled them to reach 273-8.

Two par sides met at Sewerby where the home side ran out seven-wicket winners over Rowntrees whose Richard Tuite 49 and Paul Horner 35 were supported by Yohan Alazhappwruma 29, Dave Whittle 26 and Paul Brook 28 as the visitors reached 188-7 but it was not enough.

Two more sides in division two met at Goole where the home side justified their top spot with a two-run win in an exciting clash with Ripon.

Goole were indebted to overseas man Ashley Hulme's 83 for their total of 172-7. Dirk Van Dyke 48, Andrew Mason 37 and Chris Warters 26 then put Ripon into a winning position at 157-6 before a remarkable spell of bowling by Neil Foster tipped the scales in his side's favour. In just 4.1 overs, Foster claimed five wickets for only seven runs which sent Ripon toppling to 170 all out in the 39th over.

Hull Zingari got the better of Dringhouses despite conceding 15 runs start. Fahrath Ansar top scored for the St Helen's Road side with 41 while Richard Cole helped them to 156-9 with 24no. Zingari were struggling at 97-4 with spinner Mick Kenyon taking 3-4 in his eight overs but the Hull side emerged triumphant.

With the handicap system giving them a 30-run advantage over most of the other fancied teams, third division Folkton and Flixton appear to be favourites to lift the trophy at the first attempt.

They gave notice to their rivals by inflicting a nine-wicket defeat on Studley Royal who were bowled out for 154, Damon Gormnley taking 3-24. When Flixton replied, Neil Elvidge fell for 28 leaving Gormley, with 62no, and Mike Walmsley 34no to see off the opposition.

Bubwith had a 45-run boost from the handicapper when they visited Hornsea where, with Neil Readman making 53 and Paul Van Dyke 27, they were able to register a total of 235-5.

Hornsea's Chanaka Withanage and Joe Fraser settled the issue with a 172 run stand for the third wicket which ended when the Sri Lankan fell for 93. His 20-year-old partner remained unbeaten on 83 to see his side to a five-wicket win.

The problems that Scarborough are experiencing with their outfield is putting strain on the club who are having to play all their games elsewhere. They were unable to raise a team for their trip to Pocklington.

Crayke cruise past Huby

A EDWARD Readman Trophy handicap net deficit of 30 runs proved to be no obstacle as Crayke rolled over Huby.

Huby posted only 133 after Mark Hutchinson took 3-11 and brother Paul 3-31. Crayke, playing off 15, were then taken to a five wicket victory by Graeme Dawson who made 49.

Yapham had a 30-run start in their game against Hemingbrough and Dick Wright 58 and Nigel West 50 helped the visitors post a target of 204-7. The outcome of the game however was never in doubt as 19-year-old Nathan Briggs made 82 not out. Asim Zubair helped the cause with 59 while Imran Malik made 25 as Hemingbrough gained a comfortable seven-wicket win.

Driffield's ran riot against a nine-man Civil Service team who deserve much credit for fulfilling the fixture but found themselves conceding the second highest total in the history of the competition when Driffield reached 348-6.

That was just nine runs short of the previous record of 357-4 made by Duncombe Park in 1999 when the Civil Service bowlers were also the sufferers.

Kevin Woodcock 83 and Mark Clarkson 84 shared a third wicket stand of 128. Ben Dobson then made 37 before Sam Drury piled on the agony by crashing an unbeaten 51 off 23 balls. With the benefit of a 45-run handicap start, Service made a creditable 207-4 with Mark Lancelot making 27 and James Chisholm 49 but lost by 141 runs.

Lorenzo Ingram hit the first ball of the Stamford Bridge innings onto the roof of the Selby pavilion to set his side on the way to a six-wicket victory.

Selby received 45 runs start in their total of 183 all out. Mal Bowden made 26 and Tim Carter 35 while Oliver Pimlott claimed 4-20 and Graham Tipping 3-44. Ingram then set off in blistering style and had hit three sixes and 13 fours when he was dismissed for 92. Andy Milner made 43no as Bridge won by six wickets.

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, June 01, 2005