Westow and Drax took advantage of Bishopthorpe's week off in the HPH York Vale Cricket League by closing the gap at the top of division one.

Neil Earle was the star for second-placed Westow with 147no as they beat British Sugar by nine wickets despite being set a challenging target.

Sugar's Clive Heaton (55), Steve Bellerby (61) and a late onslaught from Wayne Bellerby (37no) ensured a total of 241-7. Rich Hudson opened with 67 in reply but Earle - who had earlier taken 3-77 alongside Andy Welford's 3-50 - stole the show.

Third-placed Drax kept up the pressure by disposing of Burn. Steve Smith hit 55 of Drax's 218 all out, a score aided by 40 extras. Glenn Hunter (62) and Rob Adamson (60) ran out of overs with Burn on 192-5.

Askham Bryan YPO are still bottom despite victory over North Duffield. Mark Grewer hit 73 of Askham's 164-6 total. Pete Wood then bagged 6-32 in skittling Duffield for 110. Only Dave Bielby (32) offered resistence.

There was a bowler-friendly wicket in the division three match between Wistow and leaders Ovington.

Wistow were all out for 70 and Ovington lost eight wickets in reply with four going to Mark Bell.

Acomb fared even worse with 46 against Clifton Alliance, the top scorer being 27 extras. Alan Barton resumed order with 34no for a ten-wicket Clifton win.

The batters were on form for University of York Staff as Rich Waites hit 58 and Ashley Pike 90 from 53 balls in a score to 220-7 against Bishopthorpe. Bishops wobbled on 63-6 before Matt Collins hit 49no and a respectable 193-9 was scored. Waites returned 5-38.

Malton and Old Malton hit 250-8 against Thorpe Willough-by. Jim Baxter top scored with 87, while Granville North took four wickets. Thorpe fell to 119 all out to Matt Bulmer (4-31) and Phil Dodsworth (4-56).

In division four, Mal Harrison (34) and Mike Wellock (40) put on 74 for Pocklington's first wicket against Selby, but they collapsed to 132-9 as Steve Sherwood took 4-12. Selby's Rich Firth (36) and Phil Jolly (44no) saw their side home by seven wickets.

James Brook hit 84 and brother Kelvin 37 in Drax's 202-8 against Woodhouse Grange, who made 162-3 in reply, Doug Bartle hitting 65no.

Drax will play North Duffield in the HPH York Vale League Cup final at Acomb on Sunday (2.30pm start).

Bowlers will be limited to ten overs each and the umpires are Tony Haines and Dave Smith. The trophy will be presented by Charles Walker, a partner at HPH.

Top dispose of bottom

DIVISION two leaders Fulfordgate enjoyed an easy victory over basement boys Hirst United.

Hirst skipper Stuart Bennett top scored with 50 out of 136-8. James Reeves returned 4-29. Keith Pepper then hit 60no and, with Pete Fairburn (38no), took Fulfordgate to a nine-wicket win.

Copmanthorpe held on against lowly Kelfield. Charles Mitton (53), Paul Waterhouse (69) and Andy Northfield (44) took Cop to 215-8. Phil Smith hit 96 in reply but Adam Mosely's accuracy accounted for a total of 199-5.

Stillingfleet's run of form continued against Thixendale as Rob Murray (41) and Chris Walker (64) helped to post a total of 182, Mike England and Mick Walker taking the wickets. Chris Walker then took 4-32 to bowl out Thix for 138.

Heworth's Tim Peat hit 75 and Mark Groom 56no in their 220-6 versus York, John Sharpe taking 5-87. Graham Smith hit 50 in York's reply but 156-9, due to Tom Mcgee's 6-34, was not enough.

Deryck Fryer (3-44) and Rich Grimes (4-31) bowled Ben Johnson out for 100 and Tony Kerrison hit 65no as Stockton and Hopgrove won by nine wickets.

Knight in shining ton

Selby had centurion Jeff Knight (101no) to thank for a total of 188-5 against Stockton and Hopgrove in HPH York Vale League division five.

Stockton were cruising at 74-1 in reply before Steve Cruise took the wind from their sails and bagged 4-18 as they fell for 136.

Burn were bowled out for 90 by Tadcaster Magnet's James Madin (4-11) and Phil Batt (3-19). Tad lost eight wickets before crossing the winning line as Steve Goldsborough claimed 5-43.

Rich Bowker took 5-44 in skittling Malton and Old Malton for 108 as Thorpe Willoughby won by five wickets. Melbourne's Matt Beevers hit 94no but Sheriff Hutton won by eight wickets thanks to James Faith (46no) and Joel Winford (64no).

HPH York Vale Cricket League

Division 1

P W L T Pts

Bishopthorpe 11 9 0 0 277

Westow 11 7 2 0 238

Drax 10 7 2 0 222

Wheldrake 10 5 4 0 170

North Duffield 10 5 5 0 168

Burn 11 3 7 0 136

British Sugar 11 2 6 0 118

Norwich Union 11 2 7 0 114

Askham Bryan YPO 11 1 8 0 92

Division 2

Fulfordgate 12 9 0 1 303

Copmanthorpe 12 8 1 2 263

Heworth 12 7 3 0 238

Stockton & Hopgrove 12 7 4 0 236

York 12 5 5 0 185

Ben Johnson 12 4 6 1 172

Stillingfleet 12 3 7 0 158

Thixendale 12 3 6 0 157

Kelfield 12 2 7 0 133

Hirst United 12 1 10 0 81

Division 3

Ovington 11 9 1 0 260

University of York Staff 11 5 4 0 186

Thorpe Willoughby 11 5 5 0 181

Clifton Alliance 11 4 3 1 177

Wistow 11 5 5 0 161

Burton Salmon 10 3 3 1 148

Malton & Old Malton 11 3 7 0 132

Bishopthorpe II 10 3 6 0 121

Acomb 10 2 5 0 110

Division 4

Drax II 11 7 3 0 216

Pocklington 11 6 4 0 198

Askham Bryan YPO II 10 6 2 1 194

Selby 11 5 4 0 176

Heworth II 11 4 5 0 161

Ovington II 10 4 5 0 148

Copmanthorpe II 10 3 5 1 140

Woodhouse Grange 11 4 7 0 138

Huntington 11 4 7 0 129

Division 5

Wheldrake II 10 8 1 0 237

Burn II 11 7 3 0 231

Melbourne 10 7 3 0 209

Sheriff Hutton 11 6 3 0 194

Thorpe Willoughby II 11 4 5 0 155

Stockton & Hopgrove II 11 3 6 0 130

Selby II 11 3 7 0 120

Tadcaster Magnet 10 3 6 0 106

Malton & Old Malton II 11 2 7 0 105

Updated: 11:18 Thursday, July 28, 2005