NICK Hindle scored a half-century on his debut to see Clifton Alliance to an easy HPH York Vale Cricket League division one win against Heworth.

Batting was difficult on a rain-hit day which saw much of the programme wiped out, but opener Hindle’s 57 earned Clifton an eight-wicket victory against their cross-city rivals.

Heworth lost their first three wickets for one run and only managed to total 97-5 thanks to an unbeaten 49 by Tom Feasey but it was never enough to hold off Alliance who wrapped up victory in the 22nd over.

Champions University of York Staff, whose powerful batting was a key factor to winning last summer’s title, were shot out for 54 by Barmby Moor as Tony Smith and Sam Appleton took four wickets each.

Hemingbrough’s game with North Cave was abandoned after 20 overs because of persistent rain with Rob Scarr (36no) and Matty Clark (32no) having taken ‘Brough to 124-3.

Westow rattled up 237-3 in their 47-run win against Melbourne in division two. All five Westow batsmen contributed with a fourth wicket partnership of 100 between Barry Thistleton (62no) and Ben Holtby (43no) leading the way after Andy Welford (61), Ben Taylor (39) and skipper Mark Earle (20) laid the platform for a big total. Welford followed up his effort with the bat with 4-53 as Melbourne fell short on 188-8, Eddie Oliver (61) top scoring.

All Stockton & Hopgrove’s bowlers got in on the act as North Duffield were bowled out for 94, Josh Barratt leading the way with impressive figures of 6.1-3-10-4. At 39-5 Stockton’s reply stuttered but Steve Fraser, who suffered a blow on the head with the ball, dug in for a dogged 26 not out to earn victory.

Paul Townsley top scored with 47 in Woodhouse Grange’s 109-8 against Thorpe Willoughby in division three. Dave Watson’s 3-18 from a dozen overs was the highlight for Thorpe, who were unable to start their innings because of rain. For the second week running Hemingbrough II were unable to raise a side – Thixendale being this week’s beneficiaries.

Chris Saltmer posted bowling figures of 7-0-11-6 but it was still not enough to give Pocklington victory against Huntington in division four. Darren Hosford made 32 in Huntington’s 123 then weighed in with a couple of wickets as Pock were bowled out for 64, Stu Ross claiming 4-17. The following day Pock were well beaten by Askham Bryan II whose debutant Zeeshan Athar hit 92 and took 3-13.

Craig Theaker dominated in Ovington II’s win at Burton Salmon, following his 60 with a hat-trick in his 4-26 as the York-based side won by 105 runs.

Burn II proved too strong for Malton and Old Malton II, winning their division five encounter by 38 runs. Graeme Parker (60) pushed Burn to a challenging 172-6.

Oliver Lister’s 60 was in vain as Carlton Towers’ tail folded to Brian Moss (4-4), Drax winning by eight wickets.

Pat Durkin’s 5-5 in a devastating three-over spell mopped up Tadcaster Magnet’s tail in Stockton & Hopgrove II’s eight-wicket win.


Performance of the week

Ovington II all-rounder Craig Theaker included a hat-trick in his 4-26 to back up his match top score of 60 against Burton Salmon in division four.