Harome home in on title as rain frustrates rivals (From Gazette & Herald)

Harome home in on title as rain frustrates rivals

Ryedale Beckett League Division One: Harome 118 for 1 bt Cropton 117 for 5 by 9 wkts

WITH three matches to go, Harome are clear title favourites after they stole a march on their rivals for the top spot. While Harome won at Cropton, the remaining matches in the division fell victim to the weather. Craig Aconley (45) and Kev Wilson (19) gave Cropton a good start, putting on 45, before Mark Aconley continued the good work with 24 not out. However, good bowling from Dave Greenlay (2 for 14) and Steve Dodsworth (3 for 34) prevented Cropton posting a big total. Harome never looked in trouble with an opening stand of 113 between Phil Marwood (57 not out) and Dave Greenlay (40).

Malton and Old Malton 110 for 4 v Hovingham - match rained off

Kirk Powell hit 41 and Dave Nankervis made 20 for Malton, while Steve Mosey collected 1 for 30 for Hovingham. Five balls had been bowled in the Hovingham innings before the rain came.

Harome 165 for 7 bt

Duncombe Park 147 all out by 18 runs

In this fixture, played the week before last, Harome started well through openers Phil Marwood (55) and Dave Greenlay (23). Once both were dismissed, the scoring rate slowed until James Greenlay scored 25 from the penultimate over. Alex Boyle, aged 18, was the most successful Park bowler, returning 3 for 24 from his four-over spell. Needing to score ten an over, Park were always behind the clock due to a tidy opening spell by the Greenlay brothers. The first five Park batsmen reached double figures, with Mark Mulvihill top-scoring with 27, but no one went on to make a big score. For Harome, Stephen Dodsworth took 4 for 41 and the in-form Charlie Marwood took 3 for 36. James Greenlay was the most economical, taking 2 for 26 from four overs.

Division Two

Nawton Grange 85 for 4 bt Kirkbymoorside 84 for 9 by 6 wkts

Nawton Grange dealt the Moorsiders' lingering promotion hopes a blow with this defeat. Kirkby will have to do things the hard way if they are to have any hope of returning to the top flight as they have Burythorpe and Swinton and Broughton yet to play. Nawton, who have crept up the table recently, also have the top pair to play so things are still interesting. R Clarke (23) and M Thompson (19) were the main scorers for Kirkby as they took first knock. Nawton's bowling and ground fielding was good but they let six catches slip. D Smith (2 for 13) and Ed Kirby (3 for 17) bowled accurately throughout. In reply, Nawton knocked the runs off with ease, as Damien Mullen (28) and Ashley Windress (22) showed good form. Howard Mudd showed the other Kirkby bowlers how to do it, conceding just 11 from his four overs.

Nawton Grange 53 for 0 bt

Ampleforth 52 all out by 10 wkts

Grange coasted to an easy win over an under-achieving Ampleforth side. The Grange bowlers dominated, with Smith taking 4 for 16 and Kirby 2 for 2. Aided by good catching and poor shot selection from the Ampleforth batters, Nawton ripped through the home side. In contrast, Grange swept to the win, thanks to Sleightholme (32) and Rymer (14).

The top of the table encounter between Swinton and Broughton and Burythorpe was one of the matches called off due to the weather. There was also no play in the Ampleforth v Whitwell and Malton and Old Malton II v Settrington fixtures.

Malton and Old Malton II have been deducted two more points due to their failure to notify the results secretary of the outcome of matches. As a result, the following are not included in the league table: Malton & Old Malton v Ampleforth and Malton & Old Malton v Kirkbymoorside.

Division Three

Westow 145 for 5 bt

Heslerton 130 all out by 15 runs

The last remaining undefeated record went when Westow defeated Heslerton. But the league leaders can clinch promotion tomorrow night if they beat Duncombe Park II. Colin Smallwood excelled with the bat for Westow, smacking 71 runs. Rob Kellock (22) gave support. Andrew Slaughter again showed good form, taking 1 for 16. R Taylor (42) and Malc Spaven (45) looked as though they could swing the match in Heslerton's favour but Dave Coverdale (3 for 21) and Dave Hodsman (3 for 6) ensured a home win.

Wombleton 95 for 3 bt

Great Habton 82 for 3 by 13 runs

Wombleton kept in the promotion race with this win. Wayne Fawcett (28), Barry Grice (27 not out) and Dave Charlton (22) batted well for the Wombles. L M Bulmer, with 2 for 26, was Habton's best bowler. Alan Goforth (29 not out) and Keith Richardson (26 not out) almost pulled a win off for Great Habton but Pete Wilson's 2 for 11 slowed things down and the visitors fell just short.

Thornton-le-Dale 129 for 3 bt

Ryedale 126 for 5 by 3 runs

This local derby turned out to be a real cracker. One of Ryedale's hat-trick heroes from the previous week, Barrie Pickering, almost pulled off a repeat performance but had to be content with two wickets in two balls in his only over of the match. Stuart Hill (78) impressed for Dale. Will Anderson (33 not out) also scored valuable runs. Pickering removed Hill and then J Hall with his next ball as he ended with 2 for 12. Shaun Smith (1 for 24) bowled tidily for Ryedale. Ian Smith's undefeated 30 was complemented by a quick-fire 35 from Mike Temple but Ryedale fell just short. Lee Oliver (2 for 23) and Paul Allerdice (2 for 13) did the trick for Dale with the ball.

The Thornton-le-Dale v Duncombe Park II match result is still outstanding.

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, July 09, 2003