STOCKTON & HOPGROVE captain Richard Kerrison led from the front with a century in a vital victory over Clifton Alliance.

The HPH York Vale Cricket League vice-chairman scored 105 to set up an 87-run win at Clifton Alliance which closes the gap on leaders North Cave.

Kerrison featured in a match-winning stand of 165 with Matt Durkin (81) as Stockton piled up 231-8 despite the best efforts of D Snook (6-48).

Second-placed Hemingbrough also reduced Cave’s lead by overpowering eight-man Wheldrake by 77 runs after a solid batting display saw them make 177-6.

Once again rain had a big say in Saturday’s programme, Cave’s game at Hirst Courtney ending with the East Yorkshire side on 139-4.

The weather got Copmanthorpe off the hook. Their match against Burn was reduced to 32 overs and a patient 78 not out by Ray Adamson enabled the visitors to post 135-2. The champions were struggling at 83-8 with three overs remaining when the heavens opened.

Dan Collins produced the best bowling figures of the season as his 7-10 in 12 overs blew York RI away for 39 in Selby’s nine-wicket win in division two.

Martyn Rhodes took 6-26 as Kelfield beat Thorpe Willoughby by six wickets. Nadeem Shefta was the only Thorpe batsman to stave off Rhodes, scoring 67 of his side’s 142-9, but an unbeaten 51 by Neil Atkinson saw Kelfield home.

Heworth’s Greg Sykes made 100 not out against Melbourne in division three with perfect timing, smashing a six off the last ball of the Elmpark Way team’s innings to reach his ton and see his side to 215-5. His innings featured in a third-wicket stand of 104 with Matt Huffer (55).

There was a swashbuckling 73 from Ian Kirby, but his side Melbourne were beaten by 75 runs.

Despite 54 from captain Phil Johnson, Stillingfleet lost at Welton & Brough by seven wickets.

Burn II’s Andrew Watson survived a loud lbw appeal in the first over and went on to score an excellent 111 not out against Pocklington in division four.

Burn totalled 228-6 and Pock’s batsmen never really got started as Darren Miller took a hat-trick in his 4-39 to ease the villagers to a 123-run win.

Another superb bowling performance earned Acomb a nine-wicket win against Heworth II, Surri Suranga having figures of 6.3-2-10-6 as Heworth were skittled for 84. Kevin Littlewood was unbeaten on 47 as Acomb knocked the runs off in 18 overs.

Brilliant bowling by Vikas Vangi, who claimed 6-8 from just seven overs, enabled Askham Bryan II to successfully defend 108 against Thorp Arch & Boston Spa in division five.

Bowlers dominated at Thorpe Willoughby II where Selby II, bowled out for just 50, lost by three wickets in division six.

Dan Crockford’s 5-13 gave Thorpe the upper hand and, despite spinner Meg Jones (4-15) applying the pressure, Selby went down by three wickets in a match which saw only two batsmen reach double figures.

Tom White struck an unbeaten 53 as Woodhouse Grange edged out Hirst Courtney II by 16 runs.

The Press performance of the week Dan Collins produced the best bowling figures of the season with 7-10 as Selby routed York RI in division two