Division one pace-setters Norwich Union moved closer to another Horwath Pulleyn-Heselton York Vale Cricket title with a convincing six-wicket victory over Stockton and Hopgrove.

Batting first, Stockton's batsmen got started but lost wickets at regular intervals when reaching a modest target of 141-7. Union opener Simon Garnett then thrashed another half-century to confirm the win with 16 overs to spare.

Second-placed Askham Bryan YPO got back to winning ways with a thrilling seven-run triumph over improving Ovington.

In-form Askham opener Dean Palmer was out early but Andy Sturdy and Will Robinson rescued matters with a 50-run stand to set up a late onslaught from Roy Baggaley with 63no.

In reply, James Goodway opened with 57 and found support from Ian Holmes (34) to get Ovington near. However, wickets were being taken by accurate bowling and Ovington fell seven runs short.

Drax stayed on the heels of the leading two by overcoming British Sugar, but only just.

Sugar batted first and were indebted to Paul Mahoney (42) to reach 119 all out. Glenn Slaywe then took the Sugar attack apart in hitting 70, but the rest of the batting line-up failed as Drax lost seven wickets in reaching 123-7.

All-rounder Andy Fairburn showed his worth to the Bishopthorpe ranks with a match-winning contribution at Burn. His 40 runs late in the order gave Bish a total of 175-9. He then took out the top order to finish with 3-22. His efforts were backed by Derrick Slack's 5-55 in forcing a 41-run win.

Tollerton Outlaws travelled to second-placed Kelfield in a top of the division two table clash.

Neil Atkinson top-scored with 40 for Kelfield, who had little answer to the pace of Tony Raper and Bill Chambers as they crumbled to 107 all out. Steve Raper set up Tollerton's victory with 40no before 'Curly' Richardson lit up proceedings with an eventful 30no from just seven deliveries.

Fulfordgate stayed third despite losing to in-form Heworth.

Heworth batted first and John Bonarius top-scored with 61. Paul Fairburn was the best 'Gate bowler with 4-32 to restrict Heworth to 148-7. Keith Pepper's good run continued but once he was out the batting collapsed to 144 all out. Nick McGhee returned 7-24 for Heworth.

Thixendale entertained Hirst United in another topsy-turvy affair. Hirst batted first and made 134-4. At one stage Thixendale were 28-5 in reply but Keith Wallace steadied the ship and Shaw thumped a rapid 50. However, 'Dale's luck ran out and they came up three runs shy, Dave Howsam and Russell Stones sharing the wickets.

Division three leaders Burton Salmon suffered a setback against Clifton Alliance. Despite 54 from Max Driscoll, Burton could only manage 135. Clifton eclipsed the target with six wickets in hand. Tom Close scored 40no to go with Paul Thorpe's 6-10.

Wistow trounced Huntington by 90 runs, Paul White (58) and Nasser Shefte (61) doing the damage for Wistow in a total of 170-6. No Huntington bat coped as they succumbed to 80 all out.

Woodhouse Grange suffered a seven-wicket mauling against Malton and Old Malton. Extras top-scored for Grange as they were all out for 79. Malton then used 21 overs to gain success.

Division four leaders Drax just held on for a win at Pocklington. Pocklington batted first and had little answer to Mark Brook as he took 5-21. Pock closed on 102-8. Drax captain Joyce hit the winning runs with his last-wicket partner besides him.

Acomb went one point above York into second place by virtue of a four-wicket win at Heworth. In reply to Heworth's 119 all out Acomb's Neil Edwards and Dave Copley shared an unbroken 40 stand to win by four wickets.

York blitzed Selby who were skitled out by Dave Murray took (5-12) and Tom Copeland (3-21) for 66. Mitra and Blackwell shared a 53-run partnership to give York a nine-wicket win.

Bishopthorpe won easily at home to Melbourne. Phil Revell top scored with 75 in Bish's 204-4. Ian Mercer then took 5-17 to leave Melbourne at 86-7 at the end.

Tadcaster Magnet stayed top of division five by defeating Wheldrake by seven wickets.

A last-wicket stand of 45 took Wheldrake to 97 all out. Tadcaster wasted no time in reaching their target and were victorious within 21 overs.

Selby beat Copmanthorpe in a high-scoring game.

Selby batted first and amassed 196-4, Simon Cruise (98no) top-scoring. Richard Laver (58) and Matthew Oaks (68no) tried to get Cop close but they missed out by 24 runs.

Updated: 09:50 Thursday, August 07, 2003