LIGHTNING does strike twice. John Sharples (Ovington) and Ashley Pike (University Staff) both scored centuries for the second successive week.

Rain reduced the second division game between Ovington and Wilberfoss to 26 overs each, but that didn't stop Sharples blasting the Wilberfoss bowlers for an unbeaten 121 as they raced to 190-3.

Wilberfoss capitulated against excellent bowling from Graham Haigh and David Whittle leaving the way for Sharples to continue his domination of the game with 4-10 as Ovington won by a massive 151 to take over at the top from Hemingbrough whose game at York Post Office was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Westow's 213-8 against Askham Bryan was built on the back of a third wicket partnership of 116 between Andy Hutchinson (50) and Alan Aitken (97no).

Colin Garnett and Alex Grimbley were top scorers for Askham Bryan, who reached 142, Mark Earle taking 6-32 and Aitkin the other four wickets.

Fulfordgate reached 132-5 against Kelfield after Keith Pepper and Steve Rose added 39 for the second wicket and Steve Bygott hit 30 before he retired with a pulled calf muscle.

Kelfield were given a sound start by Pete Buck and Trevor Ward but then lost wickets cheaply to Tim Wheeler and Malcolm Pepper. Although 45 from Steve Schofield kept Kelfield in the game they lost by three runs.

A 59 run partnership between David Farry and David Watson started to build a promising total for Thixendale at Woodhouse Grange but Peter Edmonson put the brakes on with 4-20 and restricted the visitors to 137-8.

Grange lost early wickets and were pulled round by 38 from Edward Smith and 43 from Alistair Inglis but four wickets to Dean Tyler and a couple to Watson ensured Thixendale won by 21 runs.

Ashley Pike rode his luck at times on his way to 130 not out as University Staff beat Huntington by three wickets in division four.

Earlier, Mick Storey and Stewart Ross put on an unbeaten 95 for Huntington's seventh wicket to lidt them to 179-6 at the break

The top of the table clash saw Stillingfleet back defeat Burn by 31 runs. Stillingfleet made 138-9 with 80 from opener Rob Murray and Ron England returning an excellent 6-23.

Burn made progressed to 70-1 before Andy Watson was caught on the boundary by Phil Greenan, the first of six wickets for Nick Dale. From then on the game swung in the Stillingfleet's favour.

Heworth who brushed aside the challenge from Stockton and Hopgrove as Anthony Rodgers carrying his bat for 85 to help Heworth to 180-5 at tea.

Stockton and Hopgrove reached 24 without loss before Keith Hyman struck with four wickets for just two runs. Nigel Collinson shored up the middle with 38 but Terry Fannon polished off the tail with two wickets in four balls.

With 86 from Mick Cowling and 55 from James Bowling, Tadcaster Magnet reached 178-7 against an understrength Bishopthorpe attack. Adam Harris picking up three wickets.

Andrew Copeland top scored for the Bishops with 63 and 32 not out from P Broadbent saw them creep home with four balls to spare.

PICTURE: YOU NEED HANDS: Fulfordgate's Steve Rose (above) slams the ball back at York bowler Nigel Smith, who unsuccessfully attempts to take the return catch.