BECKETT LEAGUE: Aussie Townsend's remarkable debut

Australian all-rounder Alex Townsend made a stunning debut for Cayton, hitting a half-century and then claiming eight wickets.
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Put into bat by Heslerton, Cayton were given a good start by John Crowe (31), before Townsend took centre stage. He hit 10 fours in his 63 and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 93 with Steve McAleese.

They finished on 196-7, with Mark Dring the pick of Heslerton’s bowlers with 3-26.

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Despite losing Rob Middlewood cheaply, Heslerton’s reply bstarted well. Paul Bowes and Jake Keyworth put on a 50 partnership before the introduction of Townsend changed everything.

The spinner took 8-9 off less than eight overs, with Darren Foreman claiming three stumpings, as Heslerton were all out for 69 after a remarkable collapse.

Seamer are making life in the Premier Division look easy, and the promoted side lead the way after extending their 100% record at Ebberston.

Anthony Jenkinson set them on their way, making 72 as the visitors passed 200, and he was helped by Josh Broadhead’s 41 and Craig Baker chipping in with 30.

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Skipper Jon Mason (42) led the way in Ebberston’s reply, but they were peggged back by left-arm spinner Matty Morris (5-43) and Australian Liam Bennett (3-31) and they eventually fell 33 runs short.

Scalby remain among the pace-setters after hitting the top-flight’s highest score of the day.

Opener Brad Walker made 42 and Alex White (34), Connor Carson (31) and Paul Hesp (27no) all made contributions as they grabbed maximum batting points at Forge Valley, ending on 216-9.

Newcomer Ehtesham took 4-38 to impress for the visitors.

It looked all over, when Valley were struggling on 105-7 with another overseas import Tynon Economou also enjoying his afternoon after taking 3-47.

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But the away side staged a fightback through Tom Brough and John Flinton. Brough finished 85 not out, but once Flinton had departed for 33, the game was up and they were dismissed for 178.

Nine of Valley’s batsmen were clean bowled as Hesp finished with 6-40 to continue his good form in the early weeks.

Reigning champions Staithes showed they are still a force to be reckoned with, ending Flixton 2nds’ unbeaten start with a seven-wicket win.

Rob Lacey passed 80 for the second week in a row and in-form Leigh Franks added 41 for Flixton, who ended on 199.

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Paul Theaker took 4-47 and Andrew Theaker 3-56 and then sat back and watched as team-mates Stuart Pearson and Richard Ward both made 45.

That set the platform for Simon Bowes to get Staithes over the line with plenty of overs to spare. he was unbeaten on 63 as Mark Shackley took all three wickets to fall.

Nawton Grange recovered from a poor start at Staxton. From 38-3, they got up to 180-7, with captain Jonny Pickard (42) and James Greenlay (35), Ben Mountain (32) and Michael Wearmouth (25no) all playing a part in the comeback.

Andrew Holtby impressed with 4-60 and spinner Linden Gray took 3-21 for Staxton. Nick Gibson led their response, with an aggressive 82, and Chris Dove (64no) finished the job, wrapping up a seven-wicket win inside 30 overs.

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Fog stopped play in the match between Mulgrave and Filey. The visitors had reached 153-2 and were well set, thanks to skipper Jamie Gilbank’s unbeaten 70, before the conditions ended matters after just 28 overs.

Settrington skipper Adam Morley hit a maiden century in his side’s 24-run home win over Staxton 2nds in Division One.

Morley made 102 of his side’s 152 all out as the rest of his batting colleagues struglled against spinner Mark Dove (4-35).

Another spinner, Andy Monkman caused the problems in the second innings. He returned 6-36 from 10.3 overs as Staxton fell short, despite 54 from in-form Craig Hill.

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Cloughton thumped Thornton Dale, winning by 130 runs. Ben Luntley was the star of the show, with 71 as the hosts set 210-4, with captain Ricky Nock unbeaten on 60.

Chris Malthouse (30no) and Chris Woodhouse (25) were also involved, before Pete Milner wiped out Dale’s resistance after tea. His brilliant 7-25 saw them all out for 80, Boyes top scoring with 31.

Wykeham bounced back from last week’s opening day defeat, to register a narrow 12-run derby win over neighbours Brompton.

James Bryant made 60 as Wykeham posted a competitive 184-8, despite the efforts of Ross Triffitt, who claimed 3-23.

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James Allison (39), Sam Cooper (26) and Phil Holden (23) all made starts in Brompton’s reply, but Matty Vincent picked up 3-28 to earn 19 points for Wykeham.

Wold Newton took the honours in the East Yorkshire derby. Grindale were all out for 112 with Newton’s James Knaggs helping himself to 4-31.

Andy Smith had top scored for Grindale with 30, but he was overshadowed by the home side’s Charles Gray who made a half-century and Dave Southwell added 27 to ease their side an eight-wicket win.

Sherburn ruised past Cayton 2nds, chasing down 139-7 with eight wickets remaining. Jez Riley hit 58 from 76 balls for Cayton and he was well supported by Brian Heywood (45no).

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Left-arm spinner Jamie Thomson impressed for the hosts, taking 4-32 from his 12 overs, before Dean Foxton led the reply.

He shared a century partnership with captain Lee Jack, Foxton smashing 13 boundaries as he amassed 78 from just 68 balls.

Sewerby 2nds batsmen Chris Briggs and Sam Wragg both made 68 as they overcame Scalby 2nds in Division Two.

Scalby batted first and set 178-9, with Tony Geall top scoring with 56 and Tom Gregory adding 41.

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Harry Gunning had pegged them back with 3-21 and then Sewerby’s star duo saw them home to an eight-wicket win, skipper Wragg remaining unbeaten.

Their neighbours Bridlington 2nds also successfully completed a fine run chase with a four-wicket win over Ebberston 2nds at Dukes Park.

Ebberston made 169 all out, with Eddie Craggs providing something of a one-man show with an excellent 114.

Matty Clay’s hat-trick formed part of his 5-27, and he later provided 29 not out to complete the chase with more than seven overs left.

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On-loan Will Traves made 58 and Steve Lount hit 27 for Bridlington

Ravenscar had Ganton reeling on 53-3 before their game was another which succumbed to the fog.

Great Habton reached 211 all out against Scarborough 3rds. Jack Cranage top scored with 64, George Lumley made 38 and James Bulmer added 32 not out, with Brad Milburn starting a good day with 3-56.

Milburn’s fine match continued as he made 37, just one behind top scorer Tom Power but Scarborough fell 30 runs short, thanks in part to 3-32 from Tom Richardson.

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Fylingdales overcame a depleted Forge Valley 2nds to register a five-wicket win inside 29 overs.

Valley batted first and were dismissed for 118 as Mark Estill took 4-29. Skipper Gary Gibson top scored for Valley with 44 and he then took a couple of wickets but Richard Hutton remained unbeaten on 56 to guided Fylingdales home.