EBBERSTON increased their lead at the top of the Readers Scarborough Beckett League premier division after beating Forge Valley by 58 runs.

The leaders batted first and Tom Bumby (66) and Adrian Turnbull (53) added 96 runs for the second wicket. Johnny Mason hit 31 to set up a total of 228-7.

Chris Tindall then claimed 5-44 to end the Forge Valley innings on 170 and earn Ebberston maximum points.

Staxton overcame last week’s hiccup with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory at home to Cayton.

The visitors were bowled out for 110 by spin duo Chris Brown (6-48) and Richard Flinton (3-10).

Tom Nicholson led the reply with an unbeaten 49 and James Armstrong made 36 in an opening stand of 81 which set up the victory.

Title-chasing Cloughton skittled hosts Sherburn for 119 in only 32 overs en route to a nine-wicket win.

The home team were in total disarray on 57-8 but number eight batsman Andrew Holtby scored a valuable 37 and his brother, Michael, added 28 batting at number ten to help double the total.

Cloughton’s Nick Gibson (56) and Richard Malthouse (43no) put on 92 before a wicket fell.

Staithes took advantage of a friendly Kirkbymoorside pitch to post a total of 242, which included 83 from Simon Bowes and an aggressive 69 by Lee Oliver.

Kirkby’s Daniel Jemmison bowled throughout the innings to finish with 5-90, while Howard Mudd picked up 4-33 from ten overs.

The home side’s reply was curtailed at 196 in the 45th over.

Jodie Robson scored 29, Gareth Pritchard hit 28, Dave Gardner made 56 and Rob Featherstone struck 31.

Third-placed Snainton went down by 94 runs away to division ‘A’ leaders Flamborough.

The hosts claimed maximum batting points with a total of 204-9.

Jason Oakley hit 39 in reply, but Simon Leeson (4-29) and Martin Holmes (3-17) saw Snainton dismissed for 110.

Settrington reclaimed second place after beating Scalby by 17 runs.

The Malton side batted first and reached a total of 180-8 thanks to good knocks from Martin Jackson (33), Jamie Rounthwaite (32) and Jonty Rounthwaite (29). Jon Crowson claimed 5-52 to keep the visitors in the match.

Scalby’s reply was led by Masood Balough, who hit an excellent 94, and they were in prime position on 140-4. However, Andy Taylor then joined the attack and claimed 5-29, which included a hat-trick comprising the last three wickets to fall with the scoreboard on 163.

Andy Monkman was the other successful bowler, taking 4-54.

Malcolm Spaven moved up the batting order for Heslerton and played a key role in their win over Nawton Grange.

Spaven top-scored with 47 in a total of 125-8, while Grange’s Neil Ward claimed 5-28 including three stumpings by wicketkeeper Jordan Rivis.

Nawton’s reply slipped to 38-6 and, although skipper Dave Charlton (28) and Rivis (21) mounted a recovery, the innings ending on 108. Kristian Wilkinson took 3-40 and Adam Spaven 4-31.

Wykeham were bowled out for 104 at Bridlington, who cantered to a six-wicket victory. Dave Pearson remained unbeaten on 36 for Wykeham.