Openers lay the foundations (From Gazette & Herald)

Openers lay the foundations

Ryedale Beckett League - Division One - Harome 170 for 4 bt - Cropton 124 for 5 by 46 runs. Harome got off to an excellent start with Dave Greenlay (48) and Phil Marwood (68) putting on 126 for the first wicket in ten overs. Craig Aconley took the wickets of the two openers and finished with 3 for 29. Kev Wilson (34) set off briskly in reply to the Harome total, but when he was out, Cropton struggled to keep up with the required rate, although there were good knocks by Craig Aconley (22) and Mark Aconley (21). Charlie Marwood and Steve Dodsworth both took a couple of wickets.

Swinton 79 for 6 bt

Burythorpe 78 for 5 by 4 wkts

Burythorpe looked set to post a useful score at 57 for 0 after eight overs with openers Matt Beckett (33) and Phil Hill (22) well set. The introduction of Shane Bonser though, who took 3 for 8 from two overs, checked Burythorpe's progress as the home side fell away to a modest 78 for 5. Shaun Veysey (1 for 17) also did well for Swinton.

Burythorpe's opening bowler Peter Aconley bowled a great spell, taking 3 for 12 from four overs to give his side a chance. But big blows from Will Lund (18) put Swinton in a strong position. It was left to Bonser, with an undefeated 20, to see Swinton home.

The Lockton versus Duncombe Park match was rained off.

Division Two

Hovingham 194 for 1 bt

Nawton Grange 104 for 8

by 90 runs

Hovingham's Stuart Prest and J Banks tore the Nawton bowling to shreds as Prest cracked an undefeated 103 and Banks hit 85. Nawton's batsmen struggled in reply, with the exception of Steve Clements (38). Hovingham's bowling hero was J Thornton, who claimed a hat-trick in his 4 for 9 spell.

Westow 90 for 1 bt

Heslerton 89 for 5 by 9 wkts

Surrounded on all four sides by fields of rape seed, Westow got their season off to a cracking start with a win over promoted Heslerton. Heslerton batted first and only J Keyworth (45) shone against good Westow bowling, in which Dave Hodsman (2 for 19) took the honours. Man of the match Andy Welford (66), along with Steve Fraser (19no), saw Westow home in nine overs.

Brawby 122 for 3 bt

Whitwell 64 for 7 by 58 runs

Brawby were far too good for Whitwell. Chris Smith was in good form for Brawby, scoring 34, including 25 in one over. Mark Fairweather also hit a quick undefeated 35 and support came from the reliable Simon King (19no). Duncan Foster (2 for 16) was Whitwell's best bowler.

Tight bowling restricted Whitwell from the oustset. Only T Chapman (26no) and Peter Hartley (15) batted with confidence. Youngster Robbie Thackray returned excellent figures of 3 for 21 on his Brawby debut. Mark Fairweather completed a fine all-round display with 3 for 3 in three overs. Neil Fairweather returned 1 for 12.

Kirkbymoorside 46 for 1 bt Settrington 45 for 9 by 9 wkts

Settrington suffered an early blow when in-form Pete Midgely was run out by a brilliant direct hit from Dave Gardner. Tight bowling on a damp but firm track, backed up by good fielding restricted Settrington. Howard Mudd and John Dobson claimed three wickets each for eight and seven runs respectively.

A good opening spell from D Townsend, who conceded just four runs in four overs, meant Kirkby were not going to have things all their own way. A mix-up between openers led to Martin Thompson being run out but Dave Gardner (28no) and Neil Ward steered the home side to a comfortable win.

The newly-erected sightscreen was appreciated by all but could not help the umpire, who unsuccessfully tried to avoid a hardly-driven ball from Dave Gardner.

Division Three

The Thornton-le-Dale and Malton and Old Malton fixture was called off due to the state of the Thornton pitch.

Results not yet received: May 6 - Wombleton v Ampleforth; Duncombe Park II v Ryedale SC II.

Updated: 12:23 Wednesday, May 12, 2004