Rain foils Malton after Oldfield stars (From Gazette & Herald)

Rain foils Malton after Oldfield stars

ON a day when rain frustrated most teams across Ryedale, there was none more frustrated than Malton and Old Malton, who had victory snatched from their hands at home to Sewerby in division two.

After the visitors had won the toss and batted, their innings was interrupted on numerous occasions by the weather.

But the diversions did not effect the rhythm of Steve Oldfield, who recorded fantastic figures of 7 for 93, bowling through at one end. Mark Yates took the other wicket as he and Oldfield bowled the majority of

the overs and restricted Serwerby to 158 for 8. Tahir Maqsood, with 52, top-scored for the visitors.

Malton had to wait for the rain to stop before they started their reply. Neil and Greg Johnson looked to be guiding them to victory, Neil scoring 65 and Greg 62 not out. Neil was caught behind and a couple of other quick wickets slowed Malton down and invited the rain to come.

It came and, with 35 overs of the innings gone and only 13 runs required and six wickets remaining, the umpires took the players of the pitch and they failed to get back on.

Premier division leaders Pickering failed to make a start at Sessay, when rain arrived just after the toss had been made, while Duncombe Park's game at home to Pocklington in division one was a non-starter.

There was some cheer in this division for Sheriff Hutton Bridge, however, who increased their lead to 13 points at the top against Ripon.

Having been put in to bat, the Bridge had moved steadily to 67 for 2 when the rain brought about a lengthy delay, which reduced the game to 30 overs per side.

With both teams eager to continue, the home team were left with a mere nine overs to increase their score to a challenging total. This resulted in some prolific hitting, particularly by Paul Scaling who cracked an unbeaten 73 off just 32 balls. Skipper Paul Oldfield played his part with 51, then Peter Crowder hit 26 off just nine deliveries as 122 runs were rattled off the available nine overs to leave Bridge on 189 for 4.

Further interruptions occurred in the second innings, but eventually the full 30 overs were bowled with Ripon making 103 for 6, thanks to a good innings from Howard Wooding, who made 63 not out. Mike Smith claimed 5 for 50 in 15 overs.

New Earswick made 197 for 8 against Pickering II in division three, with S Beal taking 3 for 38 before the rain stopped the match. No result was received for the match between Hovingham and Heworth II.

In division four, the weather terminated an exciting game at Thorp Arch and Boston Spa which was abandoned with the home side's last pair needing to score ten off the final two overs to overhaul Sheriff Hutton Bridge II's 118 for 9.

In a 32-over game, Bridge's batting hero was David Coverdale, who made an unbeaten 53 as Chris Cole claimed 5 for 24. Brother Michael Cole then led the Boston side's response with 55 but veteran Steve Glaves produced his best bowling in Bridge colours as he took 7 for 35 to reduce the home side to 109 for 9 before the game was abandoned after 30 overs.

Steve Atkinson made a top score of 75, whilst Stuart Pickles (62) and John Leece (31) helped Whitkirk reach 197-5 against second-placed Malton and Old Malton II, whose reply was cut short at 26 for 0 in just four overs.

Colin Sanctuary made 23 and Philip Hall 21 when Osbaldwick batted first against Sheriff Hutton. Eddie Hull caused problems with 4 for 28 but 20 extras helped Osso to 129 for 7. Marcus Hollis (2 for 25) struck twice to remove Tony Hull for 13 and Ed Taylor for a duck before Eddie Hull was trapped lbw by Colin Sanctuary. But the rain had the final after Sheriff had reached 44 for 3 in 16 overs.

Updated: 11:59 Thursday, May 22, 2003