Ovington retained their lead in division one of the Horwath Pulleyn Heselton York Vale after beating Stamford Bridge by 83 runs.

But things are hotting up behind them as wickets get firmer and runs start to flow.

York rattled up 257 at Bishop-thorpe to win by a massive 143 runs and Norwich Union comfortably beat York Post Office to share second spot.

Mid-table Burn closed in on Stockton & Hopgrove whom they beat by six wickets.

British Sugar lead division two after a 26-run win at Fulfordgate.

Former leaders Westow were hit by a blitz from North Duffield, who rattled up the day's highest score of 278-5.

Heworth crept into to third with 235-2 at Wheldrake, while Copmanthorpe produced a workmanlike performance to beat Thorpe Willoughby.

In the battle of the league's only maximum men, Escrick Park despatched Hirst United for a mere 64, opening a gap at the top of division three.

Behind Hirst come Kelfield and Tollerton Outlaws, who both enjoyed good wins. Melbourne surprised Ben Johnson to record their first win of the season and double their points tally.

Burton Salmon march on in division four after a ten-wicket win at second-placed Wistow. In the bottom half, Drax had an easy success over Selby and Tadcaster Magnets got their first win of the season in superb manner, losing just one wicket as they chased 188 at Ovington.

While the scores in division five do not match those of the other divisions, they provided some exciting finishes. Bishopthorpe stay top but it took a sapping rearguard action at York to achieve it. Pocklington, now second, also clung on to win by one wicket. Thorpe Willough-by's win against Copmanthorpe was a fluctuating game that could have gone either way.

Horwath Pulleyn-Heselton

York Vale League results

Saturday

Division One

Bishopthorpe 113 lost to York 257 by 143 runs; Burn 110-4 beat Stockton & Hopgrove 109 by six wickets; Hemingbrough 119-9 lost to Drax 120-4 by six wickets; Stamford Bridge 114-8 lost to Ovington 197-7 by 83 runs; York Post Office 115 lost to Norwich Union 163-7 by 48 runs.

Division Two

Copmanthorpe 104-4 beat Thorpe Willoughby 101-9 by six wickets; Fulfordgate 129 lost to British Sugar 155-6 by 26 runs; Westow 212-8 lost to North Duffield 278-5 by 66 runs; Wheldrake 159 lost to Heworth 235-2 by 76 runs.

Division Three

Askham Bryan 114-8 lost to Stillingfleet 115-6 by four wickets; Ben Johnson 86 lost to Melbourne 120-4 by 34 runs; Escrick Park 65-3 beat Hirst United 64 by seven wickets; Woodhouse Grange 128-9 lost to Tollerton Outlaws 173 by 45 runs; York University Staff 154-7 lost to Kelfield 155-5 by six wickets.

Division Four

Drax 138-2 beat Selby 137-9 by eight wickets; Ovington 187-5 lost to Tadcaster Magnet 188-1 by nine wickets; Wistow 129 lost to Burton Salmon 129-0 by ten wickets.

Division Five

Selby 153-4 lost to Pocklington 156-9 by one wickets; Thorpe Willoughby 132 beat Copmanthorpe 107 by 25 runs; York 129 lost to Bishopthorpe 132-9 by one wicket.

Yesterday

Division One

Bishopthorpe 113 lost to York 257 by 143 runs; Burn 110-4 bt Stockton & Hopgrove 109 by 6 wkts; Hemingbrough 119-9 lost to Drax 120-4 by 6 wkts; Stamford Bridge 114-8 lost to Ovington 197-7 by 83 runs; York PO 115 lost to Norwich Union 163-7 by 48 runs

Division Two

Copmanthorpe 104-4 bt Thorpe Willoughby 101-9 by 6 wkts; Fulfordgate 129 lost to British Sugar 155-6 by 26 runs; Westow 212-8 lost to North Duffield 278-5 by 66 runs; Wheldrake 159 lost to Heworth 235-2 by 76 runs; Clifton Alliance 153-8 lost to Thixendale 181-2 by 28 runs.

Division Three

Askham Bryan 114-8 lost to Stillingfleet 115-6 by 4 wkts; Ben Johnson 86 lost to Melbourne 120-4 by 34 runs; Escrick Park 65-3 bt Hirst United 64 by 7 wkts; Woodhouse Grange 128-9 lost to Tollerton Outlaws 173 by 45 runs; York Uni Staff 154-7 lost to Kelfield 155-5 by 6 wkts.

Division Four

Drax 138-2 bt Selby 137-9 by 8 wkts; Ovington 187-5 lost to Tadcaster Magnet 188-1 by 9 wkts; Wistow 129 lost to Burton Salmon 129-0 by 10 wkts; Heworth 88-7 bt Burn 87 by 3 wkts.

Division Five

Selby 153-4 lost to Pocklington 156-9 by 1 wkt; Thorpe Willoughby 132 bt Copman-thorpe 107 by 25 runs; York 129 lost to Bishopthorpe 132-9 by 1 wkt; Stockton & Hopgrove 85 bt Wheldrake 48 by 37 runs.

Updated: 13:25 Monday, June 24, 2002