BURYTHORPE, leaders of the first division of the Horwath Pulleyn Heselton York Vale League, tasted defeat for the first time this season when they were beaten at home by Ovington.

Burythorpe lost their first four wickets for 47 but recovered well to reach 139 for 8 as Andrew Milner and Steven Towse led the recovery with a fifth-wicket stand of 53.

John Sharples and David Whittle took three wickets each and Sharples hit a match-winning 74 before he was bowled by Mick Fairweather who took 5 for 29.

As wickets tumbled Dave Brummitt (21no) saw Ovington home with five balls remaining.

Second placed York had a frustrating day. Half their team were delayed when the Selby Toll Bridge jammed, forcing a rejig of their batting order at Burn.

The home side reduced York to 32 for 6 as Dave Queenan, who finished with 7 for 59, was in great form. But York skipper Kevin Mendham hit 108 and put on 126 for the eighth wicket win with Andrew Dee (46) as York posted 199.

Burn lost a couple of early wickets, but Stuart Nesbitt and Ray Adamson settled the innings until rain caused the game to be abandoned with Burn on 76 for 3 from 22 overs.

Owen Stewart's fluent 116 from 119 balls for Bishopthorpe against Heworth helped his side to 188 for 6.

Derek Gardiner then bowled throughout to take 4 for 52 as Heworth were restricted to 112 for 9. Jonathon Bell (40), and Matt Bateman (29) were Heworth's top scorers.

Stockton & Hopgrove pushed Hemingbrough back into the relegation zone after beating them by four wickets.

Fifteen-year-old Craig Johnson made a patient 37no for Hemingbrough who were only able to post a modest target.

But Stockton didn't have things all their own way, taking 32 overs to reach the finishing line. Tony Kerrison (32) and brother Rich (30) were Stockton & Hopgrove's main contributors.

Stamford Bridge's fragile batting could only muster 119 for 9 at Norwich Union, where Andy Craven top scored with 27. Union only used two bowlers - Simon Cook (4 for 51) and Keith Lawrence (5 for 66).

Simon Morgan shored up Union's innings with 56 as wickets tumbled at the other end. Four fell for one run at 16 as Brian Aconley's accuracy was rewarded. He finished with 9 for 31 off 19 overs but was denied all ten wickets when Darren Southon captured the other wicket to fall.