DRAX captain Paul Smith smashed a rapid half-century against Fulfordgate in the first division of the HPH York Vale Cricket League.

His 52 contained five sixes and three fours and followed good work by Steve Smith (39) and an undefeated 41 from Rich Ounsley to set a commanding total of 198-6.

Fulfordgate found little in reply as Paul Vickers (4-35) and Paul Smith (3-5) bowled Drax to a victory by 120 runs.

That was one of the few highlights in the top division on an afternoon largely ruined by rain.

Hirst United beat neighbours Burton Salmon by two wickets in a low-scoring division two game.

Max Driscoll was the only Salmon batsman in double figures, with 30, as his team folded on 69. Lawrence Stones and Kenny Winter both recorded figures of 4-21 for Hirst, who then struggled to victory against the accurate Driscoll (4-35) and Adrian Davies (4-31).

Stillingfleet and Thixendale played out a 20-over slog. Stillingfleet batters Rob Elcock (70no) and Rich Walker (37no) took Stillingfleet to an imposing 160-3 and Thixendale fell 60 runs shy.

In division three, Heworth and Askham Bryan YPO tried a weather-hit 20-over game. N Aziz (35) guided Askham to 93-6 with Jerry Dunnington bagging 3-27. Aziz then returned to the fray with 3-37 but he found Heworth's Mark Groom too good as his 29 runs took Heworth home by five wickets.

Paul Batt's 7-23 proved to be crucial as Tadcaster beat Acomb by seven runs in division four.

Tad openers Mick Cowling (48) and Barry Collins (39) put on 73 before Ade Harris (3-66), Dave Copley (3-47) and Chris Sykes (3-14) brought Acomb back into the game, restricting Tad to 152-9.

Ben Wallace (37) and Neil Edwards got ten- man Acomb close but Batt's haul proved the difference.

Melbourne triumphed over Burn by 14 runs. Melbourne reached 121-6 with Greg Nesbitt (34) top scoring.

When Adam Huetson departed for 40, Burn found Dave Coe (3-17) and Tim Blackmore (3-33) too hot to handle and were bowled out for 107.

Alistair Blacklee (48) and Simon Brookshaw (47) put on 105 for Malton and Old Malton against Pocklington.

But only Gary Cooper with 30 could provide any support as the Malton innings stifled to 163-8. Cooper then returned to collect 7-19 as Pocklington were shot out for 81.

Division five's only game of the day was another 20-over affair between Ovington and Selby.

Pete Smith cracked 38 and the Stearman twins both added 31 as Ovington grappled their way to 140-5. Joe Stearman then took 4-15 as Selby finished on 82-8.

Updated: 10:57 Thursday, July 22, 2004