Magic Malton go top, but Pikes crash (From Gazette & Herald)

Magic Malton go top, but Pikes crash

Hunters the Estate Agent York and District League - First Division: Hornsea 198 all out lost to Malton and Old Malton 199 for 6. MALTON and Old Malton went top of the first division after winning their top-two clash with Hornsea last Saturday.

Winning his first toss of the season, Malton skipper Neil Johnson asked Hornsea to bat first. This looked an indifferent decision as Hornsea's openers got off to a flying start, with Guy Matrinson (38) dominating the early bowling. But Malton struck back when Ryan Bulger's first ball bowled Dan Dales round his legs. Mark Yates was then brought into the attack as Malton's spinners slowed down the run rate.

Richard Medford (55) and Paul Clappison (48) fought back for Hornsea, but Yates ensured they didn't score too many, taking 3 for 49 off 18 overs. Bulger came back well, claiming the last three wickets to record 5 for 85, as Hornsea were all out off the last ball.

With Daren Wyrill injured, Andy Raines came in to open with Neil Johnson. They both batted well, putting on an opening stand of 100. Johnson was the more free-scoring, with 70, but Raines grafted well for 40. Malton had a bit of a blip, with the dismissal of three batsmen. But the returning Chris Hudson, back after a two-year absence, made sure Malton claimed the runs required, thanks to a hard-hitting 30no, much to the delight of the large Malton crowd.

Malton travel to Ripon this Saturday, followed by a home match against Scarbrough II in the Readman Trophy on Bank Holiday Monday.

Premier Division: Pickering 155 for 9 lost to

Heworth 156 for 5 by 5 wkts

ALARM bells are ringing at Pickering after this defeat by bottom-of-the-table Heworth and all the signs are that Pikes will be in for a hard time in the York Premier Division.

Mark Shepherd (21) got some early runs on the board but it was a 46-run partnership between Mark Aconley (28) and Craig Aconley (44) that boosted Pikes. The two were looking good until Craig's unfortunate dismissal. Mark Aconley drove the ball back towards the bowler who just got his hand to the ball and it then deflected onto the stumps. A last wicket unbeaten partnership of 23 between Matthew Kings (12no) and Tony Evans (14no) helped Pikes' cause as they did reasonably well after being 98 for 6.

In reply, Heworth paced their innings and knocked the runs off with 27 balls remaining.

Craig Aconley bowled four opening overs for just six runs but then the spin of Sean Stuchbery and Matthew Kings took over and they both did well. Kings finished with 2 for 33 from 12 overs and Stuchbery 1 for 42 from 11 overs. Mark Shepherd also took a wicket, conceding 27 runs in his eight-over spell.

Pikes have a double header this weekend with a visit from Acomb and a trip on Monday to Easingwold in the cup.

Round-up

Premier Division

No Sheriff Hutton Bridge batsman had previously scored a century in the premier division, but this was remedied when Mike Smith hit 115, to record his maiden league century, against York seconds. Paul Scaling and former Wilberfoss skipper Ian Clish each made 30, which helped the Bridge reach 240 for 8, despite the efforts of Scott Gregory who captured 4 for 88.

With only a limited attack, Smith was then required to bowl 16 overs when York replied. Duncan Snell returned to the scene of his formative cricket to make 36 and Shaun Gorman made 31. Paul Oldfield bowled a lengthy spell which just kept his side ahead as he claimed 3 for 79, but the jewel in the York side was James Pringle, who hit a sparkling 87no to ensure York gained full batting points in their total of 210 for 4.

Division One

At Whitkirk, Mark Wilkie batted through the Duncombe Park innings to make 65no. Richard Simpson added 28, but Park were toppled for 161. The Whitkirk response was then led by Australian Brett Hugo who dominated the proceedings with an unbeaten 104. Craig Shipton added 33 in a six-wicket win which lifted Whitkirk into mid-table.

Division Two: Hovingham 110 all out

lost to Crayke 114 for 3

Losing the toss for the third week in a row, Hovingham were put into bat by the visitors. A poor start and rapid collapse saw Hovingham at 34 for 5 until Nick Elliot and Rich Brown came in for a 70 partnership, Elliot scoring the only half century of the game (51). After another rapid collapse, Hovingham were all out for 110 in the 35th over.

In reply, Crayke's Peter Carr scored 36 and Andrew Dawson 39no to help Crayke to a seven-wicket victory in 29.5 overs.

Division Three

Divisional leaders Pickering seconds were soon reduced to 23 for 3 when they batted first against Heworth at Elm Park Way, but then recovered in decisive fashion as skipper Andy Hill made 114no and K R Aconley hit 68no to take them to maximum batting points at 200 for 3. In reply, Ian Nottingham made 42 and Richard Winterburn 52, but Andy Grayson took 3 for 61 and James Bowes 3 for 55 to hold Heworth to 165 for 7.

Malton and Old Malton seconds are not finding life in the third division very comfortable after crashing to a heavy defeat at New Earswick. James Routledge's dismissal for 43 preceded an impressive partnership between Andy James, who made 81no, and Andy Freeman, 65no, which saw the pair add an unbroken 150 for the fourth wicket, taking Earswick to 229 for 3. Lester Parkin was Malton's only batting success as he made 33, whilst Martin Hewitson took 3 for 14 and Michael James 3 for 10 to dismiss Malton for 87.

Division Four

York City's footballer of the year, Darren Dunning, made his first appearance of the season for Sheriff Hutton Bridge seconds and his all-round performance helped his side record their first win at the expense of Osbaldwick. Dunnington took 4 for 31 as he and Dave Ellis (3 for 30) combined to dismiss Osbaldwick for 144. The same pair were then to the forefront after the tea break with Dunning hitting 70 and Ellis making an 30no in the Bridge's six-wicket victory.

Sheriff Hutton were nine-wicket winners when they successfully chased a target of 180 for 5 set by Whitworth. Sheriff suffered a sole early loss, before Craig Dodsworth (94no) combined with Ed Taylor (78no) to knocked off the required runs.

Updated: 12:32 Wednesday, May 26, 2004