Askham Bryan YPO, runaway leaders of HPH York Vale Cricket League division one, had to fight all the way against basement boys Fulfordgate.

Keith Pepper (52) and Paul Fairburn (58) put on 93 for the first wicket and, at 120-1 after 20 overs, 'Gate looked to be heading for a good score. However, tight bowling, notably from Paul Thornton, reduced the threat to 186-8.

Askham's reply opened solidly before a couple of quick wickets gave Fulfordgate a chance, but this never materialised as Andy Sturdy carried his bat for 98no to take his side to a seven-wicket victory.

High-scoring Drax batted first against Bishopthorpe and lost an early wicket to the impressive Mark Cunningham (3-48). A stand of 69 followed then Kevin Thomas struck 44 as they reached a 196-7 total.

Bishops never got going in reply, with only Danny Williams' 68no sparing the blushes as they relented at 155-9.

Ten-man Tollerton Outlaws bowled out hosts Norwich Union for 168, Tony Raper (6-61) doing most damage while Ian Butler top scored with 41 and Gawaine Hogg crashed an unbeaten 33. But Tollerton's wheels then came off as Hogg and David Johnson shared the wickets in sending the Outlaws to their first defeat, by 91 runs.

British Sugar were put under the cosh by Rich Grimes (5-29) and Derrick Fryer (4-24) against Stockton and Hopgrove to end on 122-9. Nigel Collinson carried his bat for 57no as Stockton won by seven wickets.

Andy Welford and Neil Earle put on 114 to start the innings after Westow decided to bat first at North Duffield. Earle hit six fours and three sixes in his 73 and Welford 13 fours and one six in his 69. However, Nick Hatfield removed the last six Westow batsmen to limit them to 229. Runs were not easy to come by in reply and only Lee Wild (43) prospered, while Elliott Taylor claimed 3-10 as North Duffield ended on 154-6.

The top two in division two clashed at Burn, who batted first and made hay in the sunshine, Glenn Hunter dominating the Copmanthorpe attack with 69 as a daunting score of 208-4 was set. Cop then found Ashley Abbott (4-40) on form and stuttered to 136-8.

Wheldrake found the going tough at Hirst United. Rob Daniels top scored for Wheldrake with 41no in his side's 126-4, which nevertheless proved enough as Carl Van Niekirk (5-47) and veteran Les Fearn (4-56) kept Hirst ten runs short.

Burton Salmon took maximum points against Thixendale, but only just. Burton batted first and scored 180-9, James Wigby taking three wickets on the same score. Thixendale were cruising in reply at 138-3 until the departure of Les Milburn (61) started the collapse. Adrian Davies capitalised the most with 7-76 leaving Thixendale in tatters at 173 all out.

Most Ovington bats contributed to their score of 152-6 against Kelfield, whose stalwart, Pete Buck, then struck 75no to guide his team home by seven wickets.

Ben Johnson's slide continued against Stillingfleet as, after being 91-4 after 22 overs, they slumped to 96 all out. Chris Walker returned excellent figures of 8-41. Rob Murray then hit 53no to take Stillingfleet home by seven wickets.

Wheldrake beat a determined Thorpe Willoughby side by three wickets in division five.

Thorpe batted first but with the exception of Tim Crockford's 64 found life hard, Kevin Dent returning figures of 5-26 in their 110 all out. Richie Bowker (4-57) led the attack on the reply but found teenagers Calum Dent and Danny Southern hard to get out and their unbroken stand of 42 saw Wheldrake home.

Barry Sellers was the hero for second-placed Stockton and Hopgrove as his unbeaten 45 steered his side home by six wickets against Copmanthorpe. Rich Laver (73) had earlier aided Cop to 162-8, Michael Collinson taking 3-36.

Updated: 10:00 Thursday, June 03, 2004