HUNTINGTON bowler Steve Beales has roared his way in to the York and District Senior Cricket League record books.

The paceman produced an astonishing return of 10-5 to send division five rivals Carlton Towers crashing for a meagre nine runs.

It beat the league's previous best haul of 10-9 achieved by Sheriff Hutton Bridge's Roy Piercy in 1968.

Beales, who works in the parts department of Polar Ford in Jockey Lane, said: "I must admit it was pretty unbelievable. It just happened so quickly. The pitch was a great batting track to be honest."

He shared new ball duties with veteran Wally Baynes and was soon working his way through the hapless Towers batting order.

Seven of his victims were clean bowled with the others falling to catches by wicketkeeper Colin Bevan, club secretary Darren Willis and Dickie Shaw.

The Carlton innings was wrapped up in the 19th over and Huntington promptly reversed their batting order and lost a couple of wickets before completing an amazing victory.

Strensall-based Beales said: "I'm off to New York on holiday this week so I'll miss a few games. Those ten wickets should make up for that."

His previous best was 8-16 against New Earswick in division four four years ago.

Beales' ten-wicket haul was in sharp contrast to the run fest at Easingwold in the premier division of the Hunters Estate Agent-sponsored league.

The home side tied an amazing encounter as they chased a mammoth total set by champions Dunnington.

The match set a stack of records - the aggregate of 602 runs was a league record, it featured the highest ever second innings total, the highest ever tie and the first time both sides had topped 300 in a game.

Another premier division record also went as Jamaican player Lorenzo Ingram hit 179 not out to pass D Perera's unbeaten 170 for Acomb against Ripon three years ago.

Yorkshire League cricket

Updated: 11:06 Monday, May 24, 2004