HORWATH Pulleyn Heselton York Vale Cricket League division one champions Norwich Union took maximum points at Ovington as the season got underway on Saturday.

Batting first, Norwich Union reached 16-2 before asserting their control to amass 218-6, centurion Simon Cook sharing a sixth wicket partnership of 114 with Keith Lawrence. Cook was the last man out for 104.

Ovington were never at the races and were indebted to Paul Mizon with 39no in a total of 97 all out. For the second year running Gawaine Hogg claimed a hat-trick in his final figures of 8-33.

Newly promoted Westow travelled to Burn in what proved to be a batsmen's game with 420 runs being scored.

Westow batted first and after early containment Richard Hudson and Neil Earle added 88 runs in quick order to take the score to 225-8.

Burn started brightly, keeping up with the run rate, as all top four batsmen got started but David Coverdale kept them in check by claiming 6-66. Burn finally succumbed to 195.

Another newcomer to division one, North Duffield, entertained Bishopthorpe, who took first knock and made steady progress to reach 174-9, Tony Moore grabbing 5-56.

In reply, David Beilby and Lee Wild added 100 for the opening stand and Duffield cruised to a five wicket win with Wild carrying his bat for 112no.

Rain interrupted the Stockton against Drax match with the scores well balanced. Drax posted 172-5 and in response Stockton were 86-2.

The other match between Askham Bryan YPO and British Sugar was postponed.

Promoted Hirst United never really got going against a tidy all-round Heworth attack at Elm Park Way in division two. David Brook top scored with 52 in a total of 147.

In reply, Anton Rogers got Heworth moving with 51 before Graham Pitts saw Heworth home with 49no for an eight-wicket win. Thixendale had Ken Milner to mostly thank for reaching 176-4 at Wheldrake. His 75 proved more than enough for the home side with only Nigel Exton (52no) reaching double figures. Graham Lyndsey enjoyed a good afternoon, taking 7-41 to go with his unbeaten 30.

Fulfordgate took maximum points at Copmanthorpe after scoring 178. Darren Hughes took 7-56 for Copmanthorpe. After top scoring with 49, Fulfordgate's Steve Bygott took 5-45 as Copmanthor-pe were bowled out for 133.

Tollerton Outlaws overcame a weakened Ben Johnson side by seven wickets. Martin Reynolds top scored with 53 for the printers in their 94 all out. In reply, a rapid 41 from Andy Charlton saw the Outlaws home.

In division three, Askham Bryan YPO thrashed eight-man Huntington by 122 runs.

Phil Wood top scored with 71no in Askham's 210-5. Notable resistance came from Andy Valentine with 48 out of Huntington's 87 all out.

York University Staff posted a respectable score of 190-4 with Jim Watt hitting 81no. But Wistow made the most of the excellent batting conditions to win with four overs remaining.

Stillingfleet entertained new boys Malton and Old Malton on a tricky surface. Not that that bothered Dave Rowsby as he made 92no out of 157-6.

Consistent bowling enabled Stil-lingfleet to skittle Malton for 106.

In a low scoring game Burton Salmon secured victory by 21 runs against Woodhouse Grange.

Bishopthorpe made hay against Ovington in their division four match. An opening stand of 102 between Andy Copeland and the dominant Bill Wilson set the tone as Bishopthorpe totalled 218-4. Ovington struggled against a tight bowling attack, finally surrendering to 87 all out.

Selby gained victory at Heworth with Jason Rowbottom taking 4-16 in Heworth's total of 90. Mel Neary then steered Selby home with an undefeated 50.

At Melbourne the home side crawled to 59-9 and visitors Drax easily passed the target for the loss of three wickets.

In another low scoring affair Acomb were all out for 42, Tom Copeland being chief destroyer with 6-26. York managed to lose four wickets in achieving their target.

In division five, Wheldrake's youngsters enjoyed the better of Stockton and Hopgrove. Wheldrake's score of 135-9 proved adequate as their accurate bowling attack shared the wickets.

Copmanthorpe faired well against Malton and Old Malton, scoring 143-4. John Lampard then claimed five Malton wickets as the hosts fell 16 runs short.

At Thorpe Willoughby Andy Usher top scored with 68 as Selby were all out for 164.

A slow start by the hosts was given a boost by Alistair North but his 65no was not enough as Thorpe fell 38 runs shy.

Woodhouse Grange were bowled out for just 48 as Tadcaster Magnet completed a ten-wicket victory.

Updated: 12:03 Thursday, May 01, 2003