COPMANTHORPE’S batting caved in as the HPH York Vale Cricket League division one title race took another twist on Saturday.

They were bowled out for only 28 – the lowest league score of the season – by North Cave who rejoined the race to catch leaders Hemingbrough.

Cave’s 122 all out looked below par as John Hughes (4-17) and Darren Hughes (3-38) did the damage but their figures were obliterated by Cave’s dynamic duo of John Buttle and Karl Youngman, who returned figures of 10-8-11-5 and 4.2-0-4-4 respectively.

Burn lost ground as they missed out in a run feast with Barmby Moor, whose Sean Houlton scored 113 in a total of 250-7. The Linnets put up a great chase with Graham Parker scoring 75 but lost by 16 runs as Adrian Stancer took 5-46.

Consistent Hemingbrough defeated ten-man Wheldrake by 97 runs on a rain-affected pitch, opener Matthew Milburn getting his head down to score a priceless 62.

Ross Kelly starred in Bishopthorpe’s success against Clifton Alliance, following his innings of 66 with 3-28.

University of York Staff edged out Heworth in the final over after Farrukh Junjua’s 72 paved the way for Salman Syed’s 22-ball unbeaten 35 at the end. Earlier, Greg Sykes (98) and Matthew Huffer (76no) put on 169 for Heworth’s first wicket.

In-form Ben Johnson stepped up their division two promotion bid by beating one of their nearest rivals, Stockton & Hopgrove, whose 15-year-old Matt Durkin took 6-36 as the printers were bowled out for 141. But Stockton collapsed against Bhuddi Mirando (5-4 from six overs) and Darren Snowden (4-36).

Ovington’s challenge faltered with defeat at Askham Bryan, whose Pete Wood had a great day, top-scoring with an unbeaten 47, taking 4-23 and holding onto a brilliant slip catch.

Fulfordgate’s Alan Baldock and Dean Cairns took four wickets each as Selby were routed for 42.

Neil Atkinson’s 84 was the highlight of Kelfield’s easy win against Melbourne, while Westow skipper Mark Earle struck an unbeaten 57 to condemn North Duffield to another defeat.

Either Woodhouse Grange or Hirst Courtney look set to be crowned division three champions. Hirst were handed the points by bottom club Hemingbrough II, who could not raise a side, and Grange saw off Stillingfleet by 70 runs, Ashley Cattle making 84.

Dean Tyler’s 5-28 helped Thixendale to a one-wicket win against Goole, while improving Thorpe Willoughby were led to a 41-run victory against Acomb with Nadeem Shefta playing a captain’s innings of 76.

Jim Dawson was the standout performer as division four leaders Malton & Old Malton overcame York RI, scoring 60 from just 29 balls, then took 4-25.

Syed Taha span Wheldrake II to victory with 4-16 against Pocklington in a game which lasted just 44 overs.

Andy Cole’s 65 not out could not spare Ovington II from defeat against Askham Bryan II.

Stuart Jackson (70) led Drax to a nine-wicket win against Selby II in division five which is led by Burn II, who bounced back from last week’s defeat against title rivals York, to comfortably beat Thorpe Willoughby II.


Press performance of the week

Tom Collins (Hemingbrough) – 150 not out in his side’s HPH Cup final triumph over Burn.