THE opening day of the HPH York Vale Cricket League produced 7,000 runs with three batsmen recording centuries.

Mark Earle and Neil Earle both scored tons in a massive partnership for Westow against University Staff in division two and teenager Will Ramsey scored three figures for Hemingbrough II.

In division one, champions Drax recovered from 45-4 to 176 against visiting Hemingbrough with Keith Powell scoring 54 after Andy Rowley ripped into the top order. Matthew Clarke (82no) saw Hemingbrough home by three wickets after a crucial stand involving 13-year-old Tom Collins.

In the closest game of the day, Askham Bryan YPO set Bishopthorpe a target of 184 after Mark Grewer hit 66. Teenager Scott Reeves had a good all-round performance for Bishopthorpe, but needing four to win off the last ball, the Bishops could only manage two.

British Sugar's Arron Reid, the former York City goalkeeper, (7-62) tore through North Duffield's batting. New signing from Easingwold, Richard Jones (85no), top-scored for Sugar as they reached their target with three wickets in hand.

Brian Garnett scored half of Heworth's total of 140 as four of his colleagues were dismissed without scoring. Wheldrake's Anthony Carter (64) saw his team home by seven wickets as the visitors tried seven bowlers in vain.

Clifton Alliance's first game in the top division saw them lose to Burn by three wickets in the final over. Alan Barton (Clifton) and Andrew Watson (Burn) shared the batting honours with 47 each and 15-year-old Adam Prescott grabbed three wickets.

Batting honours in division two went to Westow who smashed 301-3 off University Staff which saw Mark Earle (106 no) and Neil Earle (146) feature in a 259-run partnership. Keith Winstanley hit 50 in Staff's reply of 166-6.

Keith Pepper made 78 as Fulfordgate took the points against Stockton & Hoprgove who suffered a middle order collapse.

Promoted Barmby Moor soon found their feet after beating Ben Johnson by five wickets. Despite Martin Reynolds' 63 not out in a 100-run partnership with Neil Drew for the printers. Barmby Moor cruised beyond their 136-target in the 26th over, Andrew Winn scoring 72.

After a rapid start, York had the heart of their innings ripped out by Copmanthorpe's Adam Mosley (7-35). Cop's reply stuttered, but a 50-run partnership involving youngster Ed Noble, saw them home by three wickets.

Ovington crushed Thixendale by 181 runs. Nadeem Sadiq (64) and David Cole (61) put on 96 for Ovington and Graham Haigh (4-27) did the damage to Thixendale's batting.

Newcomers North Cave featured in the division four match of the day, but failed to master newly-promoted Hemingbrough II. James Ferguson scored a stylish 93 in North Cave's 209-7, but a magnificent 101 not out from 15-year-old Will Ramsey proved decisive as he steered the home side to a three-wicket win.

Tadcaster Magnet's Phil Batt, having top-scored with 44, capped a fine individual performance against Bishopthorpe II by taking 6-27 from ten overs to ensure victory by 50 runs.

Perwez Akhter (65) and Jack Stearman (71) helped Ovington II to a 49-run victory against Wheldrake II.

Despite being on the losing side, 12-year-old Ben Harrison took 3-7 for Sheriff Hutton against Selby who won by 58 runs. Alan Hullah (42), Sam Elliot (37), Phil Elliot (36) dominating the scoring for Selby.