STOCKTON & Hopgrove gained the upper hand in the chase for the HPH York Vale Cricket League first division title by outplaying rivals Copmanthorpe.

With last week’s seven-wicket hero Josh Barrett now working in Mexico, Stockton showed their strength in depth as accurate line and length by Rich Grimes (4-40) and Dan Fairclough (3-27) had Cop bowled out for 103. Richard Kerrison (50) steered Stockton to a six-wicket win.

Bishopthorpe kept in the race with a seven-wicket win against nine-man Ben Johnson who did well to muster 149 all out before Ben Smith (57) and Scott Clapham (49) took the Bishops home.

Matt Clark smashed a career-best 174 which included 23 boundaries and four sixes as Hemingbrough amassed 318-8 against Wheldrake. It was one of the biggest scores seen at the School Road ground for many years.

Matthew Milburn weighed in with 74 as Wheldrake spent the afternoon chasing leather before being bowled out for 167 in the final over.

Clifton Alliance eased any lingering relegation worries by winning at North Cave. Mike Stellings (68) saw Cave reach 173-9 at tea and Alliance were indebted to Alistair Lloyd (58) to win by six wickets.

Wicketkeeper Glen Hunter made a remarkable comeback for Burn with six victims in the win against Barmby Moor, including five stumpings – all off the bowling of Ashley Abbott (5-32). It was Hunter’s first game for the club in three years since being in Germany with the Army.

Dean Cairns was the ace as Fulfordgate, bottom of division two, ended a run of five successive defeats with a sensational win at Westow who crashed to 133.

Gate were 39-5 in reply after 21 overs, but Cairns expertly manipulated the tail to reach 102-9. Alongside last man James Nelson, Cairns hit the last two balls of the match for four to finish on a match-winning 74 not out to add to his 3-33.

Ovington and Hirst Courtney have effectively sealed promotion. Leaders Ovington crushed Selby by 101 runs thanks to a maiden ton by 16-year-old Chris Tune (105), though Andrew Wilson (6-28) bowled superbly for Selby. Hirst routed Askham Bryan by ten wickets.

Scott Shepherd (48 and 7-27) starred as Woodhouse Grange defeated Heworth by six wickets.

Stillingfleet tied at Malton & Old Malton in a dramatic climax in division three when visiting wicketkeeper Jonny Wright pulled off a superb match-saving run-out off the final ball when he hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

Richard Allman struck an unbeaten 95 as Ovington II romped home at Bishopthorpe II in division four.

Dunnington’s Jack Spofforth, aged 13, included a hat-trick in his 5-22 to beat Malton & Old Malton II in division five.

A season’s best 7-52 by Pete Eastwood led Pocklington’s win over Thorpe Willoughby II.