Stamford Bridge’s push for a first Foss Evening Cricket League division one title gained momentum as they defeated nearest rivals York by four wickets, opening up a three-point gap at the top.
Steve Sergeant (4-17) and Dave Craven (3-20) scythed through York’s batting line-up, containing five of their Yorkshire League side including Scotland international Oliver Hairs.
After an initial hard-hitting start from Liam McKendry (41), York were bowled out for 114. Paul Milner (29) and Ben Gill (28) then countered Kalum Ahmed’s 3-17 as Bridge got home with 16 balls to spare.
Woodhouse Grange and Heworth played out a second last-ball thriller of the season with Olly Sherwood (51no) making the most of a misfield to claim the two runs needed for victory. Chris Suddaby (38) had earlier led Grange to 101-6 as Dan Walton and Martyn Boothroyd bowled tight spells. Sherwood then anchored Heworth as they won by eight wickets.
Dunnington turned over Barmby Moor’s 107-6 as Adam Iyer (51) and Rob Chipps (25no) saw them home by seven wickets.
Pocklington moved out of the bottom two with a win over fellow relegation candidates Londesborough Park. Dan Croft (37no) and Ian Jozefowicz (29) led Pock to 116-5. Pock skipper Alex Downey then took 3-16 to ensure Callum Robertson’s unbeaten 71 was in vain, Park coming up six runs short.
Osbaldwick maintained a one-point lead in division two with a nine-wicket victory over Yapham. Martin Pearson’s 64 led Yapham to 108-4, with tight bowling from Adam Burn (4-2-11-2) and Matt Hattee (0-7 from four overs) keeping them in check.
Josh Cockerill (54no) and Hattee (46no) then ensured the early loss of Chris Hammerton (11) did not cause a wobble. Osbaldwick won with three overs to spare.
Stockton & Hopgrove are still in second as Wheldrake cancelled a fifth match of the summer.
Wheldrake are still without a point, and a win for either Yapham or Melbourne next week will seal a second successive relegation for the Broad Highway team.
Westow’s sixth win in the last seven games, this time a six-wicket victory over Bishopthorpe, keeps them on the tail of the top two. Bishopthorpe made 107-7 and Westow replied with 109-4 with no individual stand-out performances.
Melbourne chalked up a much-needed win over The Retreat to lift them above Yapham and out of the relegation zone. Oliver Steels made 43 to counter Nad Sadiq’s miserly bowling (5-0-12-2) as Melbourne made 130-5. Andy Northfield made an unbeaten 44 but in reply The Retreat were 35 short as AJ Clarke and Brian Underwood both took two wickets.
Heworth Colts remain top of division three despite not playing as rivals Ovington lost to York RI. Alastair Souch (36) top-scored in Ovington’s 132-6. Mark Charno’s 64 gave RI their second win on the bounce, by seven wickets.
Dunnington Academy rattled up the biggest score of the night in their victory at Thixendale. George Wilson (35no) and Josh Tattersall (28) led the Academy to 152-5. Two wickets for youngster Dan Andrew meant M Hurst’s 57 and Pete Stacey’s 40 were in vain as Thixendale fell 12 runs short.
Salman Syed made 80 as Retreat II secured their first Foss League win. They made 134-5 and it was too much for Fulfordgate, who suffered at the hands of Bruce Kitchener (4-12) to lose by 40 runs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here