Ionascu shines with bat and ball as Forge Valley’s victory at Sewerby boosts title bid

Steven Bates took 3-37 and Charlie Ionascu 3-53 for Valley as Sewerby made 176-8 thanks to fine knocks from Koppy Harrison (67) and Mike Artley (65).

Ionascu capped a brilliant all-round day with a match-winning 85no in just 55 balls including 15 fours and a six, putting on an unbeaten 143 for the fourth wicket with opener Liam Calvert (66no).

Cloughton took a step closer to promotion with a rapid eight-wicket win at home to Cayton.

Gary Jordan and Kile Fields scooped three wickets apiece as Cayton slumped to 114 all out, then openers Joel Ramm (43no) and Sean Exley (38) guided Cloughton to a winning 116-2 in just 18.5 overs.

Harry Burton was the all-round star as Flamborough also kept themselves in promotion contention with a nine-wicket hammering of relegation-battling visitors Seamer 2nds.

Burton snapped up 3-20 and Reed Simpkin 3-23 as Boro skittled Seamer for just 83, and Burton then struck 36no to steer the hosts to 84-1 in 17.4 overs.

Craig Thompson’s excellent 104 from just 85 balls and a stunning 5-25 helped Mulgrave defeat Staithes 2nds by 40 runs.

The in-form batsman smashed 16 fours and three sixes, helping the hosts to 261-6 and sharing a stunning second-wicket stand of 167 with Andy Raw (69) despite Rich Major’s spectacular 5-27.

In reply, Luke Spenceley's explosive 77 from 39 balls, including eight sixes and six fours, gave Staithes a flying start, but then Craig Thompson took control with his five-wicket haul, and despite Major hitting 47no and Lucas Theaker 40 they ended short on 221 all out in 34.3 overs thanks to J McKernon’s 3-58.

Snainton’s James Wilson snapped up a magnificent 7-22 as his sideboosted their Division 3 promotion chances with a five-wicket win at home to rivals Ebberston 2nds.

Former Snainton batsman Mike Eyre top-scored with 51, but Wilson’s bowling heroics saw the visitors dismissed for 115.

Skipper Ben Norman top-scored with 36 as Snainton made 119-5 in 29.3 overs.

Staxton kept their promotion challenge afloat with a rapid eight-wicket win at Bridlington 3rds – confirming the hosts’ relegation.

Riley Dawson led the way with an excellent 4-33, with help from Joel Spencer (3-49) and Mark Dove (3-60) as Brid were all out for 143, which would have been much lower if not for number 9 bat Sam Boyes’ 38 in 15 balls – including five sixes.

Tom Hendry’s 48no, after 43 from opener Dan Thewlis, guided Staxton to 144-2 in 19.4 overs.

Grosmont edged closer to the Division 3 title thanks to their comfortable eight-wicket derby win at Glaisdale.

Charlie Parker bagged 3-18 and Arran Liddle 3-36 as Dale were dismissed for 168, Taylor Locker hitting 40, then in reply skipper Parker smashed an excellent 85no to seal the win, with support from Kyle Boushall’s 32no.

Ravenscar’s relegation looks certain after a 78-run home loss against Scarborough 2nds.

JJ Denton struck 46, skipper Tom Yates 41 and Josh Rewcroft 31 to reach 197-7 while Jish Rewcroft snapped up 3-37, Indy Ellwood taking three wickets as the hosts were all out for 119.

Wykeham 2nds confirmed their Division 3 status with a 14 run-win at Brompton 2nds.

Ashley Mudd took 3-19 and Calvin Roche 3-35 as visitors Wykeham 2nds posted 161-8, Andy Shepherdson smacking 48 and number 9 bat David Stockill 26no.

In reply, Henry Stabler took a brilliant 4-30 and Toby Hutchinson 3-48 to reduce Brompton to 78-7, but despite the best efforts of Arthur Aston (38) and Mudd (21) they fell short on 147 all out.

Jordan Collins was the all-round hero as Division 4 pacesetters Sherburn 2nds took a step closer to the title with a six-wicket victory at home to second-placed Scarborough Rugby Club.

Mark Kelly struck 52, George Elliott 32 and Harry Kelly 26no as the visitors made 167-8 – recovering from 84-7, Collins scooping a superb 4-27.

The latter then guided Sherburn to 173-4 in 29 overs thanks to his undefeated 47 from just 30 balls, Jamie Thomson hitting 53 earlier and Lee Jack 25.

Filey 2nds earned a huge 218-run win at home to lowly Glaisdale 2nds thanks to a explosive maiden ton from 15-year-old Thomas Pinder, along with a sparkling century by his dad Sean.

Former first-team skipper Sean retired not out after flaying the visitors’ bowlers for 109 in 60 balls, Thomas smacking 101no in 52 balls and Harry Pawson 82 as Filey hammered 324-3.

A youthful Glaisdale 2nds made106-7 in reply.

Wold Newton won by six wickets at home to Scalby 3rds.

Mark Holtby took a great 4-33 and Paul Melling 3-6 as Scalby were dismissed for 112, S Salim hitting 36no.

Phil Robson (31) and Kyle Orange (28) helped Newton to victory, Dan Green bagging 3-64.

Forge Valley 2nds won by six wickets at home to Wykeham 3rds.