Driffield keep up push for the title

DRIFFIELD Town kept pace with sides at the top of the ECB Yorkshire League North table with a 53-run home victory over Woodhouse Grange.

A first century of the season for Sam Drury (111) and 86 from Alec Drury saw the pair combine for a 142-run stand for the third wicket providing almost half the side’s 286-7, with Christopher Suddaby (3-85) the pick of the bowlers.

A strong performance from the visitors’ middle order of Fitz De Beer (72), Stephen Burdett (45) and towards the end James Finch (50no) threatened to take the game close, but it was wrapped up by Nick Hardgrave’s 4-53 from 12 overs.

■■In the Championship Stamford Bridge made it six from six at the top with five wicket win at Clifton Park against York.

The home side slumped from 44-0 to 96-8 with Dave Chaplin taking 5-52 before a recovery between Tom Forsdike (39) and Tom Backhouse in the form of a 71-run ninth wicket partnership saw them reach 167.

In the league leaders’ reply Alfie Cooper (56) was again in the runs, this week with a halfcentury, and despite three wickets from Tom Backhouse (3-49) the visitors eased home, Matt Beckett (58no) guiding them to victory with an unbeaten half-century of his own.

The game of the day came at Bridlington where the hosts clinched victory with just two balls to spare, Tommy Hudson striking back-to-back boundaries at the start of the final over.

Visitors Pickering scored 250-8 having recovered from 36-3 thanks to runs from Daniel Ward (66) and Daniel Harper (45) and an eighth wicket stand of 67 between Joe Harland (38no) and Michael Brown (39), Steve Janney finished as the pick of the bowlers taking 3-52.

Openers Sam Wragg (42) and Casey Rudd (83) put on 88 in reply but three wickets each from David Greenlay (3-71) Joe Harland (3-45) looked to have swung the game in the visitors’ favour.

However, runs from Sam Tennant (37) and then Steve Janney (28) set up a tantalising finale.

Welton inflicted a sixth straight defeat on Cottingham to stay fourth in the table.

The home side were 24-2 at one stage but recovered thanks to partnerships worth 97 between Matthew Wilkinson (78) and James Windeatt (49), then 99 between Wilkinson and Jack Steel (89).

Chris Lound added another 55towards the end as the total reached 335-6. The visitors were bowled out for 157 in reply.

Hull Zingari bounced back from defeat last week to win at Whitkirk by 66 runs.

Daniel Mould (76) and Jahangir (64) shared a century partnership for the fifth wicket, and it proved crucial in a total of 236 which included three wickets for the home side from Josh Thompson (3-52).

The hosts Michael O’brien (47) and Sean Pickles (40) had their side on track during a stand of 79 for the third wicket but the innings was derailed by wickets from Callum Hellwig (3-41), Jack Storey (3-50) and Jason Hellwig (4-30) who took all ten between them.