STOCKTON and Hopgrove slipped to a last-ball defeat in a see-saw game against visiting Westow in division one of the Horwath Pulleyn Hesleton York Vale League.

Westow opener Rob Kellock notched 50 and although the middle order scored steady runs the Stockton attack limited Westow to 162-9.

Tony Kerrison and Dave Kerrison got Hopgrove off to a flier with an opening stand of 77.

Tony Kerrison made 51 and the home side looked set at 142-5 but they collapsed to 159 all out from the last ball. Colin Smallwood took 4-20.

A run-fest at Askham Bryan saw Norwich Union post 173 all out, Matt Phillips hitting 75, ably supported by Brian Garnett with 61. Glynn Botterill bagged 6-43.

Askham then lost two wickets before Andy Sturdy (66no) and Martyn Baggaley (67no) shared an unbroken stand of 108 to see them home.

Drax wasted no time in dispatching Bishopthorpe by bowling the visitors out for just 86. Kelvin Brook did most damage with 4-15. Drax knocked the runs off in 17 overs, Keith Powell top scoring with 30.

Rain had the last word at Burn where Ovington piled up 194-8 after openers Paul Mizon (33) and Jon Goodway (62) put on 87. Sean Moses claimed 4-32 but no further play was possible because of rain.

The weather came into play at North Duffield where British Sugar totalled a commendable 177-9. North reached 13-0 before the heavens opened.

In division two, Copmanthorpe's batsmen scored 163-8 in the face of Steve Wragg's 5-79 for Ben Johnson, who then crashed to defeat from 63-5 to 63 all out. Andy Northfiled mopped up the tail with 3-0 in seven balls. Chris Hall previously accounted 6-25.

At Heworth, Tollerton Outlaws' young openers Andy Carrick and Rich Clarke put on 64 to provide the platform for 195 all out. Neil Armstrong was the pick of the bowling with 4-32.

Heworth set off like a train with John Preston in fine form before a quick five-wicket burst halted the innings at 152-9.

A dominant Kelfield duo took centre-stage at home against Thixendale.

Adrian Brader top scored with 72 out of 148 for Thixendale. Steve Schofield (4-91) and Phil Smith (5-53) did their bit with the ball. Smith (77no) and Schofield (31no) then knocked off the runs.

Hirst United bowled out visitors Thorpe Willoughby for 114, Russell Stoned taking four wickets. Philip Alford (50) and Duncan Hedley (54) passed the total for a ten-wicket victory.

Wheldrake batted first at home against Fulfordgate and after a solid start fell away to 139 all out. Fulfordgate's batsmen reached their target in the penultimate over.

Burton Salmon enjoyed a crushing win at home to Askham Bryan YPO in division three.

Salmon's Steve Warner struck 60 and Alistair Byrne smashed 67no before Askham were bowled out for just 27, Mike Hodgkinson returning 6-71.

Chris Walker enjoyed himself against Clifton Alliance. He took 6-6 in their 85 all out then hit an unbeaten 33 in Stillingfleet's seven-wicket victory.

Wistow won at Woodhouse Grange after scoring 161-7, Phil Elliott hitting a commanding 67. Marcus Smith took five Wistow wickets. Jamie Middleton then kept Woodhouse quiet with four wickets in their 128-9.

Rain ruined the game at Malton, whose Steve Baxter scored 73 against York University Staff.

Acomb bowled out Drax for 78 in division four only for rain to thwart any hopes of victory. Adrian Harris' 4-6 was in vain.

Bishopthorpe were indebted to a tenth-wicket partnership of 52 to reach 128 all out. Sumit Mitra and Dave Murray shared eight wickets. Derek Slack then used his guile in taking 5-23 to bowl York out for 92.

There was a tense affair on Knavesmire where Ovington just failed to overtake Heworth's 179-4.

John Flint managed 52no for Heworth before Ovington's Alan Fletcher set about the bowlers with 84 but it was all in vain as Terry Fannan's 4-34 left them five runs adrift.

Pocklington were left to curse the weather as they were only 21 runs behind Melbourne's score when the clouds burst.

Selby's game against Burn was also ruined after Burn made 126 all out.

Division five side Copmanthorpe ran riot against Wheldrake, piling up 216-4 thanks to 76no from Charles Mitton and 68 from Steve Mouncey. Chris Turpin then replied for Wheldrake with 56 but 143-6 was well short of the mark.

Malton and Old Malton bowled out Selby for 120 and eased to an eight-wicket win. Tadcaster Magnets beat Stockton and Hopgrove by the same score. Mick Jay just failing to get the last Tadcaster wickets, ending with 4-16.

Updated: 11:36 Thursday, May 15, 2003