MALTON & Old Malton came within a whisker of beating promotion-chasing Ovington II in division three of the HPH York Vale League.

They lost by three runs in a last-over thriller at The Gannock in a game reduced to 24 overs a side because of rain.

The York-based visitors were bowled out for 128, Wayne Cullen taking 5-43 and Steve Varey 4-26, with Charlie Coulson removing top scorer Stefan Littlewood (67) with his first delivery.

Malton made a great start to their reply with Varey making the most of being dropped on 14 to reach 52. He put on 81 for the first wicket with Steve Mason (43), Malton’s new signing from Askham Bryan.

But the less experienced members of the Malton side lost their wickets at regular intervals and they went into the final over needing nine to win.

Requiring a boundary for victory off the last ball, Will Scholefield was caught and bowled by Ovington’s top bowler Ben Busby (3-49).

Westow put up a good fight against another strong York side, Ben Johnson, whose win confirmed their promotion from division two.

BJ were restricted to 208-7 on a good batting track, Mark Earle defying a twisted ankle to take 3-29. Earle (20) and Jamie Smith (16) then supported Andy Welford (95no) but Westow fell short on 153-8 and had to be content with seven bonus points.

A depleted Stamford Bridge had a game to forget against runaway division four champions Burn II. They were crushed by 284 runs as both Burn openers Andrew Watson (105) and Ray Adamson (103) retired after scoring centuries in a mammoth 315-3. Bridge, who only fielded three adults, were skittled for 31, the lowest total by any side in the Vale League this season.

Malton & Old Malton II could not raise a team to fulfil their division three fixture at Hemingbrough on Sunday.