ASKHAM Bryan/YPO cast aside their dismal league form with a measured performance to beat Copmanthorpe by 35 runs in the final of the HPH York Vale Cricket League Guy Mitchell Cup at Woodhouse Grange.

Put into bat, Askham Bryan/YPO reached 158-6 and owed much to a patient 67 from Chris Cox, which included a fifth-wicket partnership of 54 with Peter Thornton.

John Hughes (3-57) and Liam Elliker (2-26) were the pick of the Copmanthorpe attack.

Copmanthorpe's reply was restricted with some aggressive bowling and tight fielding. Both openers were soon back in the pavilion and were joined by skipper John Hughes, who went off ill, within the first ten overs.

After 15 overs, Copmanthorpe were 24-4 but the slump was halted when the recovered Hughes returned to join Peter Northfield (24). They put on 40 before both perished in quick succession.

Copmanthorpe's tail wagged merrily with Darren Hughes scoring 21 and Kevin Ryder finishing unbeaten on 31, which included one gigantic six out of the ground, in a total of 123.

For Askham Bryan/YPO, R Hollingsworth's 2-11 included two wicket maidens and P Wood had three wicket maidens in his 4-24.

The Mitchell Cup was presented to the winning skipper, Peter Wood by Frank Stones, chairman of the HPH York Vale League.

Updated: 10:37 Wednesday, August 24, 2005