OPENING aces Jason English and Andy Kay put on almost 500 runs between them in a record-breaking weekend.

After the York Cricket Club pairing's 217 in a Hunters York and District Senior League first division match at Duncombe Park, the free-scoring duo posted 253 at Sewerby to create a new first-wicket record partnership for the Edward Readman Trophy.

With York eventually reaching 294-7, the 5-52 by home bowler Rob Coates was a creditable performance. In reply, Kyron Ebdon led the way with 94 and Steve Stavely made 78 but one-time Huntington bowler Steve Beales claimed 3-43 as the hosts fell at 259-6.

Holders Whitkirk totally dominated their tie with Huntington despite conceding a handicap start of 60 before rain caused the tie to be decided by the faster scoring rate.

Overseas man Brendon Prossliner hit a competition record fastest century when he reached three figures off only 38 balls. He eventually fell for 141 after sharing a first-wicket stand of 162 with Phil Scouller (52).

With Mark Murphy making 28 and Ben Darby 25no, and deteriorating weather in the offing, Whitkirk declared after reaching 285-7 in 34 overs. The 18-year-old Darby then took 3-6 as Huntington lost six wickets in making 54 to add to their 60 start before rain stopped play.

Bolton Percy suffered a serious drubbing when they entertained Hornsea who ran out victors by 174 runs after a home batting collapse.

Playing off scratch, Hornsea hammered 218-7 with Richard Medforth making 61, Paul Johnson 49 and Jason Hickey 42. The handicap start of 15 proved the home side's top contribution as their batsmen contributed a mere 29 runs. No-one reached double figures, seven batsmen failing to score.

Hornsea's triple-pronged attack saw former Sunderland player Jim Phillips claim 3-10, Medforth 3-9 and Sam Holliday 3-0 in two overs which had Bolton out for a new record lowest total for the competition.

One of the day's closest results saw Huby steal a dramatic win by two runs after Hovingham failed to make the required five off the final over.

Darren Howell hit 68 and Chris Cundall an unbeaten 67 to see Huby to a useful 225-7 with Simon Mosey taking 3-25 for the visitors. John Mosey then replied with 65 and Paul Deverell hit 54 to put Hovingham in the driving seat with five required in the final over. However, wickets fell and Hovingham saw the game end with them agonisingly short on 223-9 after Hugh Sheddon took 4-52.

Duncombe Park have made a terrible start to their league campaign but blossomed with a vengeance at Cawood where they overcame a 60-run handicap deficit and still beat the home team by 105 runs.

Duncombe's Brian Leckenby and Peter Humpleby rattled up a record second-wicket partnership of 231, the latter moving to an unbeaten 152, while Leckenby lashed 124 in Park's total of 347-3 ten runs short of the competition record of 357-4 made by the same side against Civil Service in 1999.

Cawood's batsmen also found conditions to their liking with Andy Cliffe hitting 53, Dickon Edwards 37 and Richard Nicholson 25 which, added to the handicap start, produced a final total of 242 all out.

HAT-TRICK DELIGHT

Bubwith's Simon Lazenby clinched a tight victory for his side in the local encounter at Selby where he produced a hat-trick to dispose of the home side's final three wickets, leaving them 11 runs short of Bubwith's 167-8.