MARK EARLE starred with the ball as he bowled HPH York Vale Cricket League division one leaders Westow to a narrow win in their top-of-the-table clash with Clifton Alliance.

After Westow were bowled out for 90, Earle - who often hits the headlines for his efforts with the bat - took 7-37 to tear through the Alliance batting order, to see his side to a 17-run victory.

Earlier, Matt Mellor's 5-35 looked to have given the visitors the upper hand. Jacob Stevenson, the game's top scorer with a fine 48, was the mainstay for Westow.

South Cave & Brantingham overtook Melbourne into third place after beating them by 78 runs.

The hosts made 178-8 thanks to 47 from Ed Ryan. Melbourne could only manage 100, Anuj Bahl taking 5-23.

Kelfield were indebted to stalwart Neil Atkinson as his half-century led his side home by three wickets against Thixendale.

Simon Walgate (60 not out) was the main contributor for Thix as the rest of his team were spun out by Chris Walker (6-39).

Ovington were big winners at Wheldrake. The visitors made 225-6 through Harry Buckley (60) and Andy Thomlinson (37no). The hosts were rolled over for 81.

An unbeaten 111 from Ed Clark, backed up by 50 from Lee Adamson, led Burn to a six-wicket victory in a high-scoring affair against Askham Bryan.

Earlier 50s From Phil Allen, Adrien Stipetic and Dan Wheeler took the visitors to 262-7. Brian Steward (4-64) was the pick of the home bowlers.

Division two leaders Stockton & Hopgrove continued their promotion march by brushing aside Bishopthorpe by eight wickets.

Kallum Perera (4-10) was the pick of the Hopgrove bowling as the visitors struggled to 56 all out. In reply, Stockton lost two early wickets but Simon Kales (27no) steered them home without further trouble.

Hirst Courtney kept up the pressure on Stockton with a 10-wicket win at Heminbrough.

Ben Copeland (94) and Nicky Towle (49) knocked off the 165 required as Hemingbrough's bowlers toiled in the heat. Earlier, Granville North (45) and Matt Bradshaw (44) made the only notable contributions as Mohammed Areeb's 6-61 restricted the hosts to 163.

Darren Snowden (37no and 5-31) starred as Ben Johnson beat Thorpe Willoughby by 70 runs.

Yapham beat Malton & Old Malton by five wickets. Will Cardy's 4-35 restricted Malt to 109, and Craig Redhead's 48 not out eased the visitors home.

Division three leaders Sessay lost at third-placed Clifton Alliance on Sunday. Tom Kindred's 69 not out, along with 25 extras, helped Clifton post 169-6. Sessay could only manage 139 with youngsters Freddie Mills and Joseph Hodge taking three wickets each.

Pocklington moved up the table by beating second-placed Burn.

Ian Scott (76no) and Adam Ashby (35) shared a stand of 95 to ease the home side to victory by nine wickets.

Earlier, 12-year-old leg spinner Henry Summer took 5-43 to dismiss Burn for 145. Only Dan Robinson (40) made a defiant contribution for the Linnets.

A century for Josh Moore and 50s for Dave Quick and Taylor Stanton saw Stamford Bridge amass 242-1 at Thorpe Willoughby. The hosts were all out for 175, A Moore top scoring with 54 as Ben Ipar took 4-31.

Ovington's Jack Walmsley had a superb all-round game against Selby. After taking 3-24, he hit a match-winning 30 to see his side home by six wickets.

Dunnington took the spoils in their Sunday fixture at Yapham. Steve Jackson (77no) made the most of an early life, sharing in a unbeaten century stand with Max Wilson (47no). Earlier, Yapham made 167 with Paul Sangwin hitting 51 before being run out. Dave Fryer (3-4) mopped up the Yapham tail.

Press performance of the week: Westow’s Mark Earle blew the Clifton Alliance batting line-up away, taking 7-37 to keep his side at the top of the league.

l THE HPH Cup semi-finals take place this Sunday with Melbourne taking on South Cave & Brantingham and Clifton Alliance meeting Westow. The final will be on Sunday, July 29 at Acomb.

The Scothern Construction Cup semi-finals - which are Sessay v Pocklington and Burn II v Hemingbrough - take place on Sunday, July 22, with the final on Sunday, August 19 at Hemingbrough.

The Guy Mitchell T20 Cup semi-finals - Stamford Bridge v Ovington and Stockton & Hopgrove v Thorpe Willoughby - and the Prendergast Memorial T20 Cup semi-finals - Ovington II v Stamford Bridge II and Dunnington v Clifton Alliance II - will be played on Sunday, July 15, or on a mutually agreed evening before July 31.