Win lifts Pickering nearer safety but Malton & Old Malton still in trouble

11:53am Thursday 2nd July 2009

By Gazette sports reporter

PICKERING had no answer to leading run-scorer Harwood Williams – but overcame that to post their second victory of the Hunters York & District Senior League season.

The Pikes began the day hovering above the relegation zone in the premier division but, while they remain fourth from bottom, they ended it within seven points of their visitors, Dunnington, and nearer mid-table.

West Indian Williams recorded his third century of the season for Dun-nington, making 110 not out in a total of 188-7, and, in doing so, assumed the mantle of the league’s top scorer. However, Craig Aconley kept the home side in contention with 4-37 to keep the visitors’ total down, and Chris Nicholls pressed home the advantage with an unbeaten 75.

This steered the Pikes to a five-wicket win – only their second victory of the season – despite the efforts of Dave Kitching (3-50).

Another West Indian was to the fore – and this time he was on the winning side – as Stamford Bridge rose to fourth in the table with a 98-run win at Acomb.

Batting first, Bridge slipped to 85-6 with only Dave Chaplin (26) offering resistance to Dave Sykes (3-77) and John Beech (3-40).

But salvation came via Caribbean ace Donovan Sinclair, who made an unbeaten 70, and keeper Roddy Vann added 38 to help the Bridge to rebuild to 202-9.

Only one Acomb batsman then made any real contribution, Joey Burton hitting 38, as his side were dismissed for 104 by Mark Fairweather (4-25) and Dave Chaplin (4-23).

Fenner maintained their second-placed slot in division one with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Folkton & Flixton.

Damon Gormley made 35 for Flixton, who reached 85-3 before divisional leading wicket-taker Steve Sergeant took 4-36 to boost his victim tally to 31 and dismiss the villagers for 119.

Sergeant then contributed 43 to a third-wicket partnership of 67 with opener Craig Denby, who was unbeaten with 57 when the target was reached off 26.4 overs.

Malton & Old Malton remain in trouble in division one after a five-wicket defeat at home to Ripon.

Richard Hooks took 5-41 as the visitors took the upper hand in the first innings. Home batsman Ben Gill made 28no but Hooks had a useful ally in Mike Morton (3-50) as the hosts were dismissed for 103.

Mike Linsley hit back with 4-31 but Andy Cook (25no) steadied the ship and helped Ripon reach victory.

Driffield batsman Nick Johnson was given out for obstructing the field in a frantic climax to the game at Kings Mill Road, which saw Sheriff Hutton Bridge fail to defend a total in excess of 250 for the second time this season.

Early runs from Ian Clish (35) and Paul Oldfield (44) set up the prospects of a big total as the Bridge batted first.

Adam Fisher capitalised on the sound start and had reached 94 when he was caught attempting a big hit in the penultimate over.

However, his efforts had enabled the visitors to post 254-6 despite some good bowling from Johnson (4-51).

In reply, there were handy knocks by Mark Clarkson (42), Chris Chapman (27), Will Norman (27) and Tim Chippendale (28) but the game seemed to be heading for a draw until James Nessfield blasted an unbeaten 80 with support from Johnson.

Despite the latter’s unusual dismissal, Driffield emerged triumphant with a three-wicket advantage and just four balls to spare.