Marshall's magic

Marshall claimed three for 52, took four catches and then made 52 in his team's second division game against Clifton Alliance 'B'.

Sadly, Marshall's heroic efforts failed to gain a win for his side as he was bowled off the second delivery of the final over by Paul Thorpe as Clifton grabbed a three-run win.

While their 'B' team are having their worst season for a number of years, Rowntree 'A' are sitting on top of the first division following good wins over Sheriff Hutton Bridge and Tadcaster Magnet.

Acomb are level on points but have a much inferior run-per-wicket average.

There is a similar position in division two where Bolton Percy and Clifton Alliance 'B' are level on points with Bolton just edging ahead by 1.35 runs per wicket.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge's Duncan Snell recovered from an horrific first over which lasted for 15 deliveries to take 3 for 33 against Stamford Bridge who reached 102 all out with Graham Freer making 30 and Andy Winfield 23.

The Crowder brothers then produced the goods for Sheriff, with Peter making 36no and Steve 28no as a three-wicket win was gained with eight balls to spare.

The Crowders then gave a repeat performance when SHB batted first against Rowntree 'A'. This time Peter made 39no while Steve was unbeaten with 29 in a Bridge score of 107 for three.

The Rowntree batsmen then showed considerable nous with some good running between the wickets. Mike Shirley and Paul Horner each made 25 not out and Rowntree gained a good win by four wickets in the 11th over.

Stamford Bridge gained their first victory by default when Woodhouse Grange were unable to raise a team and then went on to double their value by beating Tadcaster Magnet.

John Crowe was the only Magnet batsman to prosper as he made 33 but Ian Fraser took three for 22 to dispel the magnetism for 79.

Crowe then claimed two for ten as Stamford Bridge wobbled at 39 for three, but Fraser steadied the ship with an unbeaten 18 to guide his side to a three-wicket win.

The Magnet batsmen then had a torrid time against a strong Rowntree 'A' attack and were only able to make 44 for five in their 12 overs.

Paul Horner's three overs cost a mere eight runs, Dominic Atkinson took two for ten in his three overs, Dave Thompson two for 11 in his allocation and Richard Tuite one for 13 in his spell.

Tuite then made 19 before becoming the only success for the Tadcaster bowlers as Rowntree won by five wickets with half the overs in hand.

Alan Barton made an unbeaten 46 when Clifton Alliance 'B' took first innings against Stillington in division two, and despite fielding only five men, his side were able to make 106 for five.

Stillington's openers, Rob Gilbert and Dave Allitt opted for the aerial route and between them cracked five sixes before both reached the retirement mark, Gilbert departing with a big hit to reach 30no and Allitt doing likewise to make 27no.

Stillington were then able to build on the foundation and ran out winners by four wickets when scoring the winning single off the first ball of the final over.

Bolton Percy showed their strength when they met Stillington as Howard Hall (32) and Mick Furze (31) helped them to 115 all out.

Allitt was again in form when Stillington replied as he made 26 and had a successful new opening partner in John Carr who made 29.

However they had little support from their team-mates and neither were able to capitalise upon returning to the wicket and Stillington were all out for 91 with Furze taking two for 17.

Osbaldwick lost a thriller to Bolton Percy who gained a one-wicket win when Richard Douthwaite hit the final delivery for six to overhaul Osbaldwick's 79 for four.

Earlier Douthwaite had taken two for 14 including the wicket of top-scorer Matt Dunne for 18. Osbaldwick's batsmen showed better form against Rowntree 'B' whose limited attack suffered as a score of 117 for four was reached in a game reduced to ten overs a side. Dunne made 29no, Richie Carew 38 and Shaun White 28no.

Once again Marshall led Rowntree reply with an unbeaten 33. Paul Harrison added 21 but four run outs proved to be decisive and Rowntree closed on 103 for five.

Osbaldwick's roll continued when they defeated Thirsk by 14 runs amid some confusion as neither side provided a suitable scorer.

Carew hit a half-century for Osso, making 57 as his team posted 116 for six.

When Thirsk replied, Dean Bramley made 20 while Darren Wyrill reached the retirement mark. Steve Young two for 15 and Brian Burton two for 32 took wickets to apply pressure.

Darren Wyrill returned to move to 37no, but despite Des Wyrill's unbeaten 29, Thirsk were unable to reach their target and could only make 102 for four.

Unbeaten Bolton Percy met winless Pickering and the game went true to form when Bolton emerged as winners by 49 runs.

Batting first, Percy made 107 for two with Nick Lister making 28no and Mike Furze 25no.

Andrew Grayson made 25 for the Pikes but his team disintegrated to 58 all out in the ninth over.

Pickering then enjoyed an upturn in their fortunes when they prospered against a Thirsk side who continued to under achieve.

George Rounthwaite made 25no and Simon Thackray 29no in Pickering's 106 for two.

Thirsk then disintegrated to 60 for four with Des Wyrill opting for a damage limitation exercise as he made 25no. Rob Aconley claimed two for 19.

The clash between the top two sides saw Bolton Percy lose their unbeaten record to a Clifton Alliance 'B' side which included two premier division players in James Postill and Darren Barton.

Bolton posted an extremely useful score of 130 for four through John Rossington who made 35no, Nick Lister (21), Howard Hall (21) and Mike Furze (22no.

Clifton's openers, James Postill (25no) and Alan Barton (28no) set their side en-route to victory which was achieved with some ease when Darren Barton made 25no and Bill Rodham 29no. Clifton Winning by five wickets.

In the final game before the Christmas break, Thirsk batted first against Clifton Alliance 'B'.

Dean Bramley made 25no and Des Wyrill made an unbeaten 38 in a total of 114 for three.

Clifton's two stars then ensured victory for their side with Postill getting the innings off to a good start with 25 then Barton cracking six sixes in seven scoring shots to reach an unbeaten 35 as Clifton won by two wickets with two balls to spare.

Updated: 11:41 Wednesday, January 02, 2002