HUNTERS York Senior Cricket League side Sheriff Hutton Bridge strolled into the quarter-finals of the National Village competition when they recorded a 79-run home victory over Kirby In Furness.

Man of the match Paul Oldfield led the way from the front by carrying his bat to make 118no off 126 balls, and Bridge, who were beaten semi-finalists last year, now travel to Wolviston on Sunday, July 31, seeking to reach the last four again.

Oldfield signalled his intentions by clipping the first ball of the match to the boundary and he and fellow opener Ian Clish raced to 32 off the first three overs.

The partnership continued to flourish with Oldfield adopting the dominant role and had reached 87 when Clish played on after making 27.

Steve Crowder took over and made 47 off just 50 balls before he was well caught at mid-wicket in the 30th over at 154-2.

A tidy spell of 1-37 in nine overs by Mark Etchells had checked the run flow but Oldfield upped the rate as 88 runs were scored off the final ten overs to take Bridge to a challenging 252-6.

The Cumbrian side made only 46 off the first ten overs as Mike Smith and Dave Houldridge bowled economical spells. Smith went through his ration of nine overs in one go for 2-29, his second success being with the assistance of a splendid low catch on the boundary by Dave Ellis.

Dave Gilbertson and Danny Foxton came on and the Cumbrians slipped to 98-5 in 24 overs before Kirby skipper Paul New offered some hope before being bowled by Foxton for 26, while Tob Fugler's innings ended on 23 when he became one of three stumping victims for 16-year-old wicketkeer Adam Fisher.

Gilbertson finished with 3-44 and Foxton 3-41 as Kirby's innings closed on 173-9.

National Village result

Sheriff Hutton Bridge 252-6 (P M Oldfield 118no, I R Clish 27, S D Crowder 47, L Stephens 2-62) beat Kirby In Furness 173-9 (J Thornton 20, M Fugler 20, P New 26, R Fugler 23, M Smith 2-29, D Gilbertson 3-44, D Foxton 3-41) by 79 runs.

Updated: 10:12 Tuesday, July 19, 2005