BECKETT LEAGUE: Staxton beat Scalby to reclaim top spot

An outstanding stand of 146 between Chris Dove (81) and captain Nick Gibson (65) was the driving force behind the table-toppers’ 243-7, Linden Gray also weighing in with an unbeaten 31.

James Deaves (3-59) and Sam Fox (3-53) were the pick of the Scalby attack.

The visitors, who had won their last three games, battled away to get to this target, Jon Barton leading the way with an excellent unbeaten 64, while teenager Freddie Schmuck chipped in with 32, but in the end 4-31 from Dan Outhart and a trio of wickets for Adam Hargreaves secured the win which returned Staxton to the summit.

Cayton are only a point behind after a hard-earned three-wicket win at home to Heslerton.

The visitors won the toss and batted first, Jake Keyworth’s good run of form continuing with 34, but wickets started tumble as spinners Rhys Crowe (2-26) and Andy Holden, returning to the club after over a decade at Forge Valley, took 2-31. Adam Spaven’s 43 and Tom Benthall, with 35 not out, shared a strong sixth-wicket partnership of 80 to move the total to a respectable 165-7.

Spaven also showed good form with the ball, the paceman taking 4-45, but Aussie Nick Strangio’s unbeaten 74 steered his side home, finding good support from Tom Sixsmith (27).

More than 500 runs were scored at Wilson’s Lane, but it was Nawton Grange who eased their relegation fears with a five-wicket win at home to fellow strugglers Forge Valley.

Valley won the toss and Tom Brough’s brisk 52, which included 12 fours, saw his side to 71-1 after 15.

Paceman Nick Thornicroft took 3-47 and alongside a fine containing spell from seamer Peter Wilson (1-29 off nine overs) saw the home side fall to 120-5 off 30 overs,

Josh Cooper made 28. while Mick Glew remained at the crease and at 145-6 he was joined by Alex Glass. The pair upped the tempo and smashed 112 in the final 12 overs to post an impressive 257-6, Glew remaining unbeaten with an excellent 77 , which comprised 13 fours and a six, with Glass undefeated on 58 having smashed three sixes and six fours.

An amazing start from Charlie Allot saw the visitors race to 108-0 in just 12 overs before Tom Garbutt fell for seven. Allot was in devastating form, crashing to new ball to all parts, hitting eight fours and eight huge sixes, but fell agonisingly short of a remarkable century being dismissed by Will Tindall (1-37) for 98 in the 14th over which led to amid-innings wobble, Grange 123-4 at the end of the 15th over.

Thornicroft took on the charge and along with Phil Marwood put on 93 for the fifth wicket.

Thornicroft fell for a superb 81, which included 14 fours and a six, leaving Marwood to secure the second-best ever run-chase in the premier division with 37 not out, hitting a six to secure the win with 34 balls to spare.

Glass completed a fine match for the hosts by taking 3-79.

Staithes returned to form, crushing bottom-of-the-table Flixton 2nds by 196 runs.

Staithes posted a huge 314-6 with Paul Wilson top scoring with 84 and Simon Bowes hitting 56.

Jack Walmsley claimed 2-51 for Flixton.

After tea, Justin Ringin reaffirmed his side’s dominance, the spinner taking 5-15 from 12 overs as Flixton slumped to 118 all out, despite 28 from captain Mark Shackley.

Ebberston eased to an 80-run at home to lowly Filey.

The hosts batted first and totalled 248-5.

Damian Readman top scored with 54, while Ben Lockey and Rhys Milner made 52 and 50 respectively.

Despite 43 from Jamie Gilbank and 27 apiece for Paul Bowes and Ben Briggs, left-arm spinner Sam Hardie claimed a superb 5-32 as Filey were all out for 168.

Division A leaders Seamer suffered a surprise 77-run defeat at Cloughton, who produced a fine team performance.

Cloughton posted a competitive 162-9 as John King (35), Richard Ward (25) and Tom Watson (25) all made useful contributions.

Harry Whelan top scored with 38 not out as Paul Greenhough took 3-32 and Dan Jewitt 3-8.

Seamer’s reply never got going as Whelan completed a fine individual performance as the tall seamer took 4-4 and with fine support from Pete Milner (3-15) and left-armer Watson (3-47) to bundle the promotion hopefuls for just 85

Mulgrave took full advantage but were made to work hard by Settrington in a 22 run win.

The title-chasers batted first and made 199-8 as Kieran Noble made a fluent 46, Martin Thistle hit 33 and there were good support from all-rounders Joe Hinchcliffe (30) and Craig Thompson (25) despite good spells from Charles Rounthwaite (3-14) and 3-41 from John Huntsman.

Settrington captain Adam Morley top scored with 33, Jamie Rounthwaite made 28 and left-hander Stephen Beal 25, but Hinchcliffe and Thompson both bowled well to each claim three wickets to end the innings of 177 and move Mulgrave back into pole position.

Wold Newton gave themselves hope of a late season survival charge with a 19-run win at home against Wykeham, their first win in eight matches.

Newton batted first and hit 206-9 with Matthew Southwell making a fine 69 not out and Andrew Moore 49.

Ian Spence took 4-64 and fast bowler Dave Pearson (3-40) were the stand-out bowlers for the visitors.

Ben Metcalfe (74) and Craig Bateman, who made 59 not out, led the reply, but 3-18 from Moore, Mike Holtby with 3-32 and James Knaggs (3-48) dismissed them for 187.

Cayton 2nds gained a vital win in the relegation battle, closing the gap on third-from-bottom opponents Sherburn to just five points.

Skipper Simon Glave led from the front as he top scored with 43 and Paul Pennock made 33 in their 158-8 as Phil Pickard (4-27) and 3-33 from swing bowler Mike Holtby stemmed the flow of runs. Lee Jack’s 47 and Dean Foxton made 31, but 4-24 from Brian Heywood and James Ward’s 4-34 saw Cayton to a 42-run win.

Grindale’s Ian Cousins was in top form as his side beat Brompton by three wickets.

Cousins took 5-15 as Brompton were restricted to 133-9 in 45 overs with opener Robin Siddle carrying his bat for a fine 47 not out Cousins then top scored with 37 and Andy Smith made 28 not out to secure the win.

Thornton Dale move into second position in division B after beating in-form Ganton by 78 runs.

Dale posted an imposing 244-5 with Matthew Todd the star, making a superb 87. He found good support from Lewis White (39), Andy Hill (32) and Lee Oliver, who smacked an unbeaten 39.

Good innings from Alastair Limb (65) and 38 from Rob Gretton were not enough as Oliver claimed 4-57 to see his side to a comfortable win.

Forge Valley 2nds’ Sean Pinder hit his third century of the campaign but it wasn’t enough as Bridlington 2nds produced a fine run chase on their own patch.

Valley made 225-6 with Pinder’s superb 103 not out and Tom Varey’s 53 the mainstays of the innings. Callum Battams produced the best figures for the hosts with 3-75.

Greg Miller (77), Harry Burnhill, with 66, and Andrew Clay’s 39 eased Bridlington home with 16 balls to spare for the loss of just three wickets.

Fylingdales travelled to Scalby 2nds and eased to a six-wicket win.

Steve Husband‘s 5-16 and 3-20 from Harry Purves ripped out the home side batting for just 82.

Joe Husband ensured there were no slip ups making 36 as his side won in just 16 overs.

With Division C leaders Ebberston 2nds not in action, the chasing pack all took advantage and closed the gap.

Great Habton’s Ben Holtby made a superb 99 as his side eased to a seven-wicket win at Heslerton 2nds, who posted 141 all out.

Muston are third after a resounding 142-run win at Seamer 2nds.

Phil Marr (45), Steve Pratt (40) and 38 from Matthew Kings saw Muston to 212 all out, before Barry Anderson’s 5-22 and 5-42 from Jonny Atkinson dismissed the hosts for just 70.

Flamborough also enjoyed a comprehensive victory, bowling Ryedale all out for 70, with Harry Burton taking 4-18.

Luke Dixon’s fine season continued, stroking 43 in an eight-wicket win.

Wykeham 2nds’ Chris Remmer produced excellent figures of 5-22 to dismissed bottom-of-the table Cloughton for 81 as Oliver Shepherd made 24.

David Stockhill (33no) and George Shannon’s 24 not out saw their side to a 19-point win.