A FINE all-round performance from Duffield's Lee Wild went unrewarded as opponents Drax clinched the runners-up spot in the first division of the HPH York Vale Cricket League.

Despite his 5-84 from 20 overs and a top score of 30 in a total of 105, Wild's efforts counted for nothing as Drax won by 39 runs.

Askham Bryan/YPO's good run may have come too late but they ended the season with a narrow win at third-placed Westow.

A fourth-wicket partnership between P Wood (34) and R Hollingsworth (45) and a late flourish from C Copeland (28) helped them to 171-9.

With Mike Hamshere on song (6-63), Westow's powerful batting line-up folded. They lost their last four wickets cheaply to lose by seven runs.

Runaway unbeaten second division champions Fulfordgate finished in style with a 25-run victory over Thixendale.

All-rounder James Reeves was the star of the show, stroking a fluent 61 as 'Gate reached 210-8. Thixendale fought back with a second-wicket partnership of 101 between Adrian Brader (74) and 13-year-old J Green (26) before Reeves shattered the reply with 5-29.

Heworth finished runner-up after beating rivals Copmanthorpe by 17 runs.

Jonathan Bell (49) and M Groom (30) put on 57 to help Heworth to 135-7.

Paul Waterhouse kept Cop in contention with a measured 45 until he became one of Groom's four wickets. Jerry Dunnington, helped by some excellent catches in the deep mopped up the tail for 5-31.

Veteran Dave Brummitt (3-61) was upstaged by 13-year-old T Cookson (4-31) as Ovington completed the third division season as champions.

Chasing 153 to win, N Sadiq stroked an unbeaten 104 to beat University Staff by seven wickets.

Clifton Alliance cashed in on Staff's defeat to clinch promotion despite losing to Thorpe Willoughby. Andy McEvoy's season's best 83 and M Cooke (65) put on 108 for the fourth wicket as Thorpe closed on 209-4 for a 60-run win.

Acomb's defeat by Malton & Old Malton saw them relegated. Acomb's 125-9 included a last-wicket stand of 22 between J Dale, aged 12, and 14-year-old C Crawford. A fourth wicket partnership of 69 between A Blacklees and J Spencer saw Malton and Old Malton home.

Drax captured the fourth division title in an enthralling game against Askham Bryan/YPO.

Centuries for Askham's Willie Knight and Drax's James Brook were overshadowed by the final appearance of the Drax stalwart Mac Fielden, who is hanging up his wicket-keeping gloves after 46 years.

He finished in a blaze of glory as his 32 helped Drax to 197-7, his side overhauling Askham's 196-9.

Melbourne pipped Wheldrake to the division five title by two points after beating Burn by seven wickets.

Burn's innings was held together by A Prescott's 37 against Melbourne bowlers M Kidd (4-35) and J Clark (3-26). J Howden then led Melbourne to the title with ten balls and seven wickets to spare.

Stockton & Hopgrove were overwhelmed by 163 runs at Wheldrake but still managed to deny them the title.

K Dent (68) led the run spree as Wheldrake reached 217-6. Stockton were in trouble from the start with opener Mick Collinson taken to hospital and at 26-7 were facing defeat. However, R Herridge dug in for an unbeaten 25 and Stockton finished at 54-7 depriving Wheldrake of the two points they needed to tie with Melbourne at the top.

:: Vale stats

Total number of league runs scored in the season 85,072 - 10,321 up on the previous summer.

Top five run-scoring teams

1 Fulfordgate 2,722 runs (in 18 matches) average 151 per innings

2 Westow 2,578 (16) 161 ave

3 Drax 2,431 (16) 152 ave

4 Heworth 2,414 (18) 134 ave

5 Bishopthorpe 2,245 (16) 140 ave

Lowest run-scoring team

Stockton & Hopgrove II 1,185 runs (16) 74 ave

Highest innings score

Bishopthorpe 301-5 v British Sugar, July 16

Most runs in a game

589 - Westow 297-6 beat Burn 292-9, July 16

Lowest innings score

Hirst United 42 all out v Fulfordgate, May 7

Updated: 11:33 Thursday, September 08, 2005