HPH York Vale Cricket League division leaders Bishopthorpe were made to fight all the way by HPH Cup winners North Duffield.

The cup-holders got off to a brilliant start. Dave Bielby (68) and Lee Wild (116no) put on 159 for the first wicket before wickets fell to Colin Markham and the run-rate dipped as Duffield closed on 212-5.

Bishopthorpe lost their first two wickets cheaply before Chris Moores took control with a masterly 93. Lee Wild returned 4-85 but Bishopthorpe ran out victors by two wickets and posted their tenth successive league triumph of the season.

Drax powered their way to 226 against Westow.

Harvey Thomas (67) and his brother Kevin (36) took on the early run gains before a typically brisk 41 from Rich Ounsley. Mark Earle profited with the ball as he took 5-71.

Paul Vickers (3-17) and Darren Brinded (3-41) were just too strong for the Westow batsmen and they were all out for 109 of which Ron Welford top-scored on 42.

In division two, Copmanthorpe all-rounder John Hughes had a good day. Hughes (54) and Charles Mitton (50) put on 103 for the first wicket against Thixendale en route to a 207-7 total. Hughes then returned 5-22 in skittling Thixendale for 131.

York's Robert Hobson took 3-0 as Stillingfleet were dismissed for just 78. York cruised to victory by seven wickets.

Division three pacesetters Ovington came unstuck against Thorpe Willoughby.

Ovington batted first and Dave Cole struck 73no from a total of 157-8. Dave Watson took 6-65. Martin Cooke then led the reply with 43 as Thorpe won by three wickets.

Malton and Old Malton hit 220 against Burton Salmon. Stuart Gill top-scored with 54 and all-rounder Matt Bulmer hit 42. Bulmer followed his knock by taking 4-30 as Salmon were shot out for 122.

Askham Bryan YPO just held on in their fourth division battle against Huntington. Chris Garnett top scored with 33 for Askham as Stu Ross and Phil Walls shared eight wickets.

Chasing a score of 156-9, Huntington reached 140-5 with nine overs left.

However, with two wickets in the final over from Mike Hodgkinson, Huntington fell one run short. Jason Helliwell (45) top-scored for Huntington, while Andy Wood took four wickets for Askham.

Melbourne have taken a share of the lead in division five after beating Thorpe Willoughby.

Melbourne hit 178-6 with Mike Howden hitting 70, Rich Bowker taking 4-47. Brian Underwood then took 6-44 and Martin Kidd chipped in with 4-42 as Thorpe were bowled out for 142.

Wheldrake suffered a ten-wicket defeat at the hands of Sheriff Hutton.

Tony Fisher took 3-11 as Wheldrake collapsed to 103. Chris Harrison hit an unbeaten 61 for Sheriff.

Five-star Grange

Woodhouse Grange enjoyed a five-wicket win over Bishopthorpe II to reach the Prendergast Memorial Cup Final.

Andy Copeland top-scored with 41 in the Bishops' 124 of which Peter Nolton took 4-20. In reply, Ian Jozocwizc hit 41 and John Henly 36no to steer the Grange home.

In the other semi-final Burn's 201-8 was decorated by 65no from Geoff England. Huntington's reply came up four runs shy despite Phil Walls (71) and Ralph Bradley (57) hitting best ever scores.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, August 11, 2005