MASTER blaster Brian Howard shattered Acomb’s Scothern Construction Cup hopes with an amazing whirlwind innings.

Coming in with Hirst Courtney at 85-3, he grabbed the first round tie by the throat to smash an amazing 154 not out in less than 20 overs.

His assault included 11 sixes and 14 fours, lifting Hirst to a mammoth 307-4, which also included 81 by Tony Hinch.

Howard’s innings is thought to be the highest in a Vale League cup game, bettering the unbeaten 150 by Hemingbrough’s Tom Collins in last season’s HPH Cup final against Burn.

Acomb’s young side responded to Howard’s battering with 185-5, Dan Littlewood scoring a career-best 92.

Westow were also in the thick of the runs, Andrew Welford (96) and Mark Earle (85) sharing a 177-run opening stand in their win against Woodhouse Grange.

Dan Cameron top scored with 79 in York RI’s 181-run crushing of Goole, whose Jacob Kennedy did well to take 5-38.

Fourteen-year-old Andrew Seager was the star of Bishopthorpe II’s win against Hemingbrough II with a run-a-ball innings of 52 and 4-41.

Melbourne duo Matt Beevers (75no) and Martin Anderson (52no) enjoyed an unbroken match-winning partnership of 137 against Fulfordgate, whose Ben Thompson seized 5-32.

An undefeated last-wicket partnership of 88 in six overs between Stillingfleet’s Phil Johnson (45no) and Ian Thompson (31no) proved decisive in beating Thixendale.

Wayne Cullen (5-17) took an all-bowled hat-trick in Malton & Old Malton’s win at Welton & Brough.

HPH Cup holders Hemingbrough eased through after Glen Crouch’s 5-31 helped to skittle nine-man Clifton Alliance for 79.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Burn, lost at North Cave where skipper Rob Page scored 103 not out.

Second division side Selby thrashed Barmby Moor, Ian Lake (121no) sharing a 150 stand with fellow opener Neil Wilson (61).

Ovington switched their tie against Ben Johnson to Woodhouse Grange after work by City of York Council on their Little Knavesmire pitch left the outfield scarred and unplayable. Ovington made themselves at home, winning by five wickets.

A classy 80 not out by Copmanthorpe’s Salman Syed was the batting highlight against his former side, University of York Staff, whose line-up was destroyed by John Hughes’ 6-16.

Stockton & Hopgrove lost to Bishopthorpe, whose Colin Markham struck 72 from 68 balls.

In the Graham Headley Memorial Cup, Paul Ward’s 60 ensured Burton Salmon came out on top against Burn II.

Bowling into a strong wind, Craig Theaker’s 5-35 saw Ovington II win at Wheldrake II.

Two centuries were scored in division five, whose teams are not in cup action because they have extra league fixtures.

Jed Vale (103) hit his second successive ton as Pocklington held on to win by two runs against Selby, whose 14-year-old spinner, Brian Steward, took 6-35.

Simon Franks (107) scored his maiden century as he and South Cave & Brantingham team-mate Ben Scorah (99) put Stockton & Hopgrove II to the sword.

Franks and Vale were almost joined in the century ranks by Yapham teenager Jack Holman, who was 95 not out when Malton & Old Malton II’s total was overhauled.

Performance of the week

In a weekend of outstanding individual performances, the remarkable 154 not out by Brian Howard for Hirst Courtney against Acomb is the king.