ALTHOUGH they lost their unbeaten record to their nearest rivals Drax, Bishopthorpe gained the highest reward - their first HPH York Vale Cricket League division one championship.

They measured their game to acquire the six bonus points required to lift the title by restricting Drax to 154-7 and reaching 130-5 in their reply.

Ian Holmes returned 5-48, H Thomas topping the Drax batting with 45. Walton-Knowles, Moores and Williams batted steadily for the Bishops to reach the goal.

Askham Bryan/YPO ran up a massive 278-4 led by skipper Chris Cox, whose career-best 112 was aided by Ray Baggaley's 99.

Opponents Burn opted for maximum batting points which they achieved with 54 from Huetson.

John Hughes' 5-54 went unrewarded for Copmanthorpe as foes Fulfordgate took the second division crown with their 12th win of the season. J Reeves anchored the 'Gate score of 166-7 with a patient 38, while Copmanthorpe fell 34 runs short.

But Copmanthorpe bounced back to defeat York and keep their promotion hopes alive, Mosely taking 5-30 as York limped to 108.

Cop' lost both openers for 12 but a third-wicket partnership between Peter Northfield (23) and K Ryder (63), the latter including nine fours and two sixes, saw them romp home.

Ovington won the third division in style beating Acomb by 63 runs. Barry Steel (76) and T Cookson (33) took Ovington to 174-7, D Copley and J Dale both picking up four wickets.

G Haigh and Dave Brummitt also picked up four wickets each as Acomb were dismissed for 111, A Harris top-scoring on 40.

Clifton Alliance are second having recovered from 9-2 to reach 203-3, led by C Ellison (57), A Lloyd (86no) M Mellor (50no), against Burton Salmon. Burton, who employed just two bowlers who returned identical figures of 1-100, lost by 41 runs.

Promotion is still to be decided in division four, where Pervez Ahktar (53) and Ja Stearman (48no) helped Ovington to 143-8 at Pocklington, for whom Mal Harrison and Martin Anderson shared 8 wickets. Pete Eastwood anchored the Pocklington reply of 107.

Wheldrake confirmed their promotion from division five, along with Melbourne, with an overwhelming 148-run win at Thorpe Willoughby.

Dave Cockerill (95) and Paul Lees (70) caned the Thorpe attack with 131 coming in the first 20 overs. Simon Carding helped himself to 32 as Wheldrake cruised to 234-4.

Updated: 10:20 Thursday, September 01, 2005