SHERIFF Hutton Bridge held their nerve to beat Clifton Alliance in the final over of the match and maintain fading hopes of catching champions Woodhouse Grange at the top of the Hunters York & District Senior League premier division table.

Woodhouse Grange maintained their seemingly unstoppable progress towards a fourth successive league title when they defeated Stamford Bridge, while second-placed Easingwold walloped York II by 10 wickets after rolling over the Shipton Road side for only 93.

The Bridge therefore needed to win their match on Saturday to stay in touch and they did – just – as Mark Fisher provided the coup de grace in the last over to seal a 22-run victory for the hosts after the Alliance lost their final wicket off the second ball of the final over.

Eearly batting success for SHB had been logged by Paul Oldfield (30) and Rob Pinder (25) but the innings then fell away with only Paul Scaling making a mark with the bat, finding his form after a difficult spell to reach 47 and ensure the hosts got to their final over before being all out for 170. Alex Renton bowled a fine spell to claim 5-39 while David Friend had a good 3-49.

Clifton’s reply included 36 by Andy Parkinson and 25 by Nick Hindle but a trio of Bridge bowlers each claimed three wickets to set up the victory.

The pick of these was Ben Harrison, who turned the game the Bridge’s way with 3-31, and he was well supported by Jordan Grose with 3-34, before Fisher (3-44) dealt the winning blow Woodhouse Grange defeated Stamford Bridge by seven wickets thanks to two good innings by the Bilton brothers.

Kev Murphy had earlier posted 51, Dom Rhodes 26 and Luke Robinson as Stamford totalled 162-7 with Andrew Horner claiming 3-31. Grange’s winning 166-3 included 58 by Andrew Bilton and an unbeaten 76 from Chris Bilton.

Pickering slipped to fourth place in division one after a 93-run home defeat by Bridlington.

Casey Rudd cracked 118 in Brid’s huge total of 262-3, his second century of the season being well supported by John Major (74) and Simon Leeson (44).

For Pickering, Mark Shepherd made 34 and Tom Sigsworth 25 but Rudd was again well involved with 3-35 and, with Sam Edmondson taking 4-30, the hosts were ousted for 169.

Divisional leaders Heworth had little trouble in defeating bottom-placed Selby, while second-placed Sessay got the better of a draw with Goole Town and Acomb jumped over Pickering into third by beating Whitkirk.

The all-round ability of Harry Walmsley proved the difference between Folkton & Flixton and Driffield as his 3-27 and 45 runs enabled Flixton to win by two wickets.

Driffield’s top batsman was Owen Goldsworthy, who made an unbeaten 69 in a total of 173-8. Walmsley’s batting was then supported by S Stocks, who made 36 to help cancel out the bowling efforts of Johnson (5-46).

At the other end of the table, Malton & Old Malton suffered a big blow in the efforts to beat the drop as they fell by six runs at relegation rivals Bolton Percy.

They had looked on course for victory as Wayne Dawson (3-37) and O Gilbank (5-21) helped to dismiss Bolton for just 84.

However, the hosts then hit back with a vengeance as Andrew Brewster grabbed 5-17 and Jacob Green 3-27 and Malton found themselves dissolving to 78 all out. Shaun Harland made 42, which should have been good enough for victory, but it proved in vain as his team-mates crumbled.

THE York & District Senior League’s winter indoor league will be holding its annual general meeting on Thursday, August 28, at Acomb Cricket Club. All member clubs are urged to attend and new clubs to the competition will be welcomed.

 

Park better off but no KO blow

DUNCOMBE Park came out ahead on points in the top-of-the-table clash in division two north of the Hunters York & District Senior League – but they were unable to deliver a real knockout blow to close in on leaders Osbaldwick.

Batsmen prevailed throughout with second-placed Park making 222-5 and their visitors responding with 206-5.

Alistair Holmes, inset, top-scored for Park with an unbeaten 63, while James Skelton made 51, Brian Leckenby 44 and Peter Kent 28.

In reply, there were fine innings from Jonny Rawstone (87no) and Matt Hattee (60), but Joe Sails’ return of 3-30 kept the Helmsley side ahead, as they collected 25 points to Osbaldwick’s 17 to reduce the gap at the summit to 41. The gap to third, meanwhile, is now 42 points as Tadcaster Magnet II lost to Ripon, to be leapfrogged by Harrogate II.

At the other end of the table, both Hovingham and Sheriff Hutton remained in bother.

At Hovingham, Dringhouses were limited to 134-8 but still recorded a 32-run win as Mick Kenyon took 5-9 and George Wilson 3-33 to dismiss the hosts for 102. Sheriff Hutton crashed by 106 runs to Pocklington, who eased their own worries. Sheriff are now only 12 points ahead of the bottom side. Neil Jackson made 98 in Pock’s total of 174 as David Hull captured 3-48. Ted Donkin took 4-18 and Connaire Brattan 3-10 to dismiss Sheriff for 68.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge II lost ground in the promotion race in division three north as their game at Castleford II on Sunday was abandoned due to rain.

They had begun the weekend in second place but were leapfrogged on Saturday by Sessay II who beat Drax by six wickets. Leaders Easingwold II had a big win over York IV.

Malton & Old Malton II had to hold on to avoid defeat at home to Huby. Tom Piercy made 40 in the visitors’ 176 as Ryan Wharton took 5-23. Malton’s reply was inadequate, with only Tony Linsley (22) showing form as Hugh Sheddon (5-24) left them on 104-9.

In division three south, Stamford Bridge II were all out for 106 as they lost by 52 runs at Scarborough II, for whom Theo Smith grabbed 6-31. For Stamford, Andy Winfield took 4-36 and Rob Hewitt 3-36, while Mark Fairweather made 33 not out.

Pickering II stayed bottom after a 44-run loss at Yapham. Mark Fairey made 63 as Yapham totalled 143, Tony Evans taking 3-21 and Ady Boyes 3-14. Les Welburn replied with 36 but Alex Nattrass took 5-26 as Pickering were dismissed for 99.

 

Ford skittles Houses with stunning 9-10

MATTHEW FORD was in devastating form to hand Hovingham II a huge victory at Dringhouses in division four central of the Hunters York & District Senior League.

Alistair Thorpe made 61 for Hovingham and had good support from Richard Johns (35), John Hubery (25) and George Wainwright (25) in a total of 214-7.

Ford then produced the best bowling figures of the Senior League season when his 9-10 had Dringhouses all out for the season’s lowest total of 21.

Sheriff Hutton II romped to a 10-wicket win at Cawood II after the hosts were all out for 56 - Mick Bradley taking 3-8. John Armitage (35no) led the reply.

There was also a good victory for Duncombe Park II over Osbaldwick II.

W Smith took 4-28 and A Walker 4-32 as Osbaldwick were all out for 147, of which A Richardson made 66. Park reached their target for the loss of six wickets as Nick Allenby made 59 and Jeremy Lascelles 46.