Heworth were involved in a nail-biting tied division four game in the Howarth Pulleyn Hesleton York Vale Cricket League.

They scored a reasonable 131-7 against Selby, whose Mel Neary and Geoff Knight got away to a solid start by putting on 68 runs.

But from then on the Heworth bowling improved as Dave Baker claimed the last three wickets for eight runs to force a tie.

In another tight game, Acomb were restricted to 110 at home to York, whose Dave Murray took six wickets and Mitra three. York then found Ben Wallace (4-34) hard to get away and with Adrian Harris (3-14) also among the wickets, York were left requiring 41 runs with the last pair of Wilkes and Murray at the crease. However, they kept cool and the Clifton Park side grabbed a narrow win.

Bishopthorpe rattled up 162-9 at Ovington which included an unbeaten 38 from ninth batsman Mike Brown. Youngster Chris Storey was the pick of the Ovington bowlers with 3-26. Ovington made a good start but faded and lost by 53 runs, Brown completing a good game by returning 4-11.

Rich Ounsley had a day to remember as he took his Drax side to Melbourne.

He gained 2-28 from 16 overs to keep Melbourne at 145-5, then produced a devastating 112no to give Drax a seven-wicket win.

Burn II eclipsed Pocklington by nine wickets. Simon Gouldesbrough took 4-37 as Pock were dismissed for 95. Rowley (42) and Robinson (39no) then took Burn home with half their overs to spare.

There was a shock in division five as leaders Tadcaster Magnets were soundly beaten by Stockton and Hopgrove.

Mick Cowling was the only Magnet with any power but his 38 runs were not enough as Mike Jay (4-33) and Steve Duckett (5-57) destroyed the other batters for 98 runs. Jason Chinnian scored 48 as Stockton ran out easy seven-wicket winners.

Copmanthorpe II ran up the highest score in the division by defeating Woodhouse Grange. Richard Laver (53) and Chris Mitton (114) had an opening stand of 197 as Cop finished with 228-2. Grange made a valiant effort but were tired after leather hunting in the field and were bowled out for 161.

Thorpe Willoughby II buckled under the bowling figures of Wheldrake's Kevin Dent (6-29) and collapsed to 93 all out. Although six wickets fell, Wheldrake won by four wickets.

Norwich Union surged 47 points clear at the top of division one after a convincing seven-wicket victory over Ovington, achieved with more than 20 overs to spare. Ovington were restricted to 111-9 which was never going to be enough,

Askham Bryan YPO's slide continued as they went down against British Sugar. Simon Taylor's 95 for Sugar ensured a good total of 170-8. Ray Baggaley took 5-39 and then top scored for YPO with 57 but his side were bowled out for 119.

Westow captain Dave Coverdale had a good day as his side triumphed over Burn. He top scored with 27 from 134, then took 4-33 as Burn were bowled out for 111.

Bishopthorpe's Danny Williams scored a cultured 76 from a total of 204-8 against North Duffield, whose Lee Wild was the most successful bowler with 4-58. Wild and Dave Beilby then kept up with the run rate but as soon as wickets started to fall Duffield fell behind the clock and they closed on 197-7.

Collapse of the day was achieved by second division Thixendale, who crashed from 176-1 to 199 all out, Van Niekirk making a good start to his Wheldrake career by taking 8-33. Les Milburn top scored for Thixendale with 121. Neil Thurlow and Ian Brown added 100 for Wheldrake's third wicket as they won by five wickets with an over to go, Brown being undefeated on 97.

Martin Reynolds of Ben Johnson was in top form against Tollerton Outlaws, but still ended up on the losing side. His 55 guided the printers to 154, the only other big score coming from Scott Carlton with 48no. Paul Raper took 4-31. Andy Charlton (64no) and Tony Raper (68) took the Outlaws home for the loss of three wickets.

Kelfield, second in division two ,won at Thorpe Willoughby after an opening stand of 119 between Pete Buck (81no) and Phil Smith (64) enabled Kelfield to make 175-6. Mark Cooke was the best Thorpe bowler with 4-25. Andy Atkinson returned 5-46 as Kelfield took maximum points by ousting Thorpe for 110.

Fulfordgate captain Keith Pepper scored 110no in his side's 250-4. Steve Rose chipped in with 52. Copmanthorpe responded with 178-7, opener Neil Purdy top scoring with 41.

Heworth found the Hirst United batsmen on form as they went down by seven wickets.

Updated: 08:59 Thursday, July 17, 2003