York and District Senior League round-up

THOUGH final statistics are still being compiled, league secretary Albert Pattison confirmed that Malton and Old Malton's Australian batsman Ben Nicholson has scored the highest number of runs in all divisions this season.

In his first season in this country, Nicholson scored a total of 1127 runs in the league at an average of 59.31. The overseas star made his 11th score in excess of 50 as his side repeated their Readman Trophy victory over old rivals Hornsea in division two. Steve Oldfield took 5 for 49 and spinner Mark Yates 5 for 55 as Malton reduced Hornsea to 117 all out. In reply, Nicholson made 63, Danny Foxton 25 not out and Gary Hall 20, as Malton ran out four-wicket winners to finish third in the league.

In the premier division, Pickering ended their season in miserable fashion with a heavy defeat at Acomb. Batting first, Acomb made 174 for 6, with Chris Sykes top-scoring on 85. For the Pikes, Craig Aconley and Mark Shepherd took a couple of wickets for 31 and 33 runs respectively.

In reply, Pickering were all out for 67, with youngster Sam Thackeray top-scoring on 17. The men who did the damage were Shanuka Dissanyake, whose 5 for 38 saw him to a season's wicket haul of 79 at just 14 runs each, and Dave Sykes, who took 5 for 19.

Spinners captured 12 wickets at Heworth where relegated Sheriff Hutton Bridge lost their last eight wickets for only 24 runs. Dave Simpson made 57 as Bridge's tantalising tweakers, Paul Oldfield (4 for 64) and Danny Snowball (3 for 52) denied Heworth full batting points at 194 for 8. Oldfield then hit 73 and skipper Mike Smith 50 before Bridge collapsed to 175 all out.

In the first division, rain curtailed Duncombe Park's home match against Crayke. Peter Kent was unbeaten on 40 for Park, who had reached 71 for 2 in 16.1 overs.

In division three, Hovingham's 174 for 8 at Yapham was not enough, as they went down by three wickets. Hovingham's Alistair Thorpe (84), Stuart Prest (25) and Mark Aconley (25) made runs, whilst Nigel West claimed 6 for 74 for Yapham. Clive Clark led the home side's reply with an unbeaten 60. For the visitors, there were two wickets each for George Mosey, John Fairburn and Stuart Prest.

In the fourth division, Bolton Percy snatched the fourth division title from Pickering seconds. Whilst Pickering's match at Huby was rained off after the Pikes had made 38 for 2, Percy dished out a 183-run defeat to Dunnington after making a massive 304 for 3. Selby's hopes of surviving the drop were lifted when they won at Sheriff Hutton Bridge seconds, only to find their lifeline severed by Acomb's victory at Easingwold. Steve Clipston made 40 and Dave Ellis 27 in the Bridge's modest 129 for 7. In reply, Selby opener Matt Hoyle (43 not out) and Phil Jolly (38 not out) moved Selby to a seven-wicket victory.

Sheriff Hutton won by five wickets at Dringhouses seconds. Kev McGuinness made 52 in the home side's 126 for 7, with H Faith taking 4 for 37 for Sheriff. Eddie Hull was undefeated on 62 as the visitors passed the target.

Updated: 11:04 Wednesday, September 11, 2002