LEADERS Heslerton received a stern test when they entertained second-placed Flixton 2nds in the Readers Scarborough Beckett League – but late-order batting and good bowling saw them increase their lead at the top of the table to 23 points.

Losing wickets at regular intervals had the home team in desperate trouble with eight batsmen back in the pavilion with just over 80 runs on the board.

However, club stalwart Malc Spaven remained defiant, ensuring his wicket remained intact giving the opportunity for numbers 10 and 11 to at least get the total over 100.

Andy Slaughter fell in the 90s but last man Tom Milner was a hero, defying the Flixton attack to help Spaven bat out the full 45 overs and increase the final total to 139-9, Spaven remaining unbeaten on 23 and Milner 30.

Caleb Grant claimed 3-37 and Mark Shackley 3-32.

The visitors made a decent start to their reply, Andy Wardell scoring 24. But Adam Spaven (5-47) and Andy Slaughter (4-14) wrapped up the innings for just 80.

Paul Woodhead hit 37 for Cayton but struggled to inspire his team-mates as they were bowled out by Forge Valley for 117, James Tindall taking 4-45 in a miserly 22-over spell while Andy Holden claimed 5-36 from his 13 overs.

The East Ayton side replied with 121-3, Dave Morris remaining unbeaten with 57, as they moved into second place in the table.

Kirkbymoorside made short work of Cloughton. Stuart Dowson took 4-7 from 16 overs, 12 of which were maidens, to have them all back in the pavilion for 56 before Jodie Robson (42no) and Eddie Cass (10no) knocked off the runs without being parted.

Eddie Craggs hit 71 but was unable to inspire Ebberston as they slipped to 134 all out at Staxton.

Elliott Cooper, recently transferred back from Sheriff Hutton Bridge, took 5-60 and Andrew Holtby 4-25.

In reply, the home team knocked off the runs for the loss of four wickets through Chris Dove (37), Dave Williamson (33) and Adam Hargreaves (27no).

Sherburn’s hopes of a return to the premier division were dented at Filey where the home team took tea on 168-8 after good knocks from Andrew Burrell (68) and Aaron Howard (54), Simon Dobson claiming 3-37.

Sherburn then had no answer to Paul Bowes (6-16) and Lee Plant (4-28) as they were all out for just 47.

Seamer kept the pressure on Filey at the top of division ‘A’ and ensured Wold Newton remained winless this season as they had their visitors all out for 81.

Kirk Lister (39) gave Newton hope but Adam Morris (4-14) and Sam Park (5-9) ended it, Seamer easily overcoming their target for the loss of one wicket.

Jonny Pickard (37) and Neil Adams (25) took Nawton Grange to 163-9 on the cliff top at Sewerby, Dominic Warters claiming 3-38 from 11 overs.

After tea, Chris Briggs made 27 and James Faulkner 31 but Sewerby 2nds slumped to 129 all out, Peter Wilson having claimed 3-12 from 11 tight overs.

 

• FYLINGDALES were unable to end the last remaining unbeaten record in the Ryedale Scarborough Beckett League.

Hosts Grindale posted 213-8 in the division ‘B’ clash as Ian Cousins (80) and son Liam (33) added 74 for the third wicket, with Andy Smith also making 32. Mark Estill claimed 4-58 for Fylingdales.

In reply, the visitors were restricted to 126-6 in their 45 overs.

Steve Husband (43no) remained unmovable, while Andy Smith claimed 3-16 and Ian Cousins 2-28.

Duncombe Park 2nds were bowled out at Bridlington 2nds for just 75, Ben Traves claiming 5-29. Only Alec Medd (35no) troubled the scorers.

The seasiders knocked off the runs for the loss of one wicket, Rob Middlewood remaining unbeaten on 40.

James Ledden (51) and Steven Boyes (41) took Forge Valley 2nds to 198 all out at home to Staxton 2nds, Dan Blanchard taking 4-26 and Jack Pinder 4-43.

The visitors in reply had no answer to Jack Pettitt (5-13) and Anthony Noble (4-15) and were sent packing for 35.

Scarborough 3rds recorded their first victory of the season to rise off the foot of the table, by beating Cayton 2nds by six wickets.

The visitors struggled to 111-9 in their 45 overs, Sam Williams (29) and Simon Stubbs (20) the top-scorers, before Kieran Howard (51) and Brad Milburn (18) helped to knock off the runs in 37.2 overs.

Peter Shepherdson (29) and James Bryant (48) took Wykeham to 129 on their own track against Ryedale, for whom Alex Ibbotson claimed 4-33 and Jim Boyes 4-25.

The total proved beyond the visitors as, despite Danny Walker’s 29 and Ian Smith’s 26, they were bowled out for 97, Gareth Barnard claiming 3-33 and Steve Day a mesmeric 5-4 from four overs.

 

• THORNTON-LE-DALE remained on the heels of Scalby 2nds at the top of Readers Scarborough Beckett League division ‘C’ – despite a fright against Seamer 2nds.

Dale bowled their visitors out for 102, Dave Graham top-scoring with 46 as Daniel Hill claimed 4-16 and Tim Hunt 3-20.

In reply, they lost seven wickets, Steve Winwood claiming 3-32, before gaining victory thanks to an unbeaten 35 from Oliver Sigsworth.

Dale Corcoran (40) and Ian Thompson (38) took Wykeham 2nds to 154 at Ebberston 2nds, for whom Henry Harrison claimed 4-38 and Sam Megginson 3-16.

Henry Harrison responded with 42 and Chris Beal 21 but it was to no avail as the home team slipped to defeat by 34 runs after a good bowling spell from P Remmer (5-19).

The worrying state of local cricket at present was highlighted by both Cloughton 2nds not being able to raise a team to play Ganton and Heslerton 2nds failing to raise a team to go to Staithes 2nds.