AFTER the previous week's D&S Times Wensleydale Evening Cricket League washout, last week's games took place on a fine evening across North Yorkshire.

Leyburn hosted high-flying Thorp Perrow. Playing on lively astroturf surface, Leyburn struggled against Thorp with only middle order batsmen G Hardisty (13) and R Metcalfe (13) making double figures as they found themselves all out for 58 in the 13th over. M Fishburn took 5-16 from his six overs.

Thorp's reply was swift as they passed the total to finish on 63-2 in the 12th over with both wickets taken by I Clarkson (2-32).

Masham hosted neighbours Middleham with the ten-man home team batting first on a green wicket. Veteran J A Broadley (24) held firm as the middle-order house of cards collapsed, with hat-trick bowler A Beales (4-11) repeatedly finding his way through to the sticks. A late spate of runs from R Smart (22no) helped Masham to post a score of 91-7.

Middleham started slowly, but D Ewart (24) kept pushing Middleham forward and, after the fall of three wickets, G Shields (23no) and junior S Guy (28no) brought Middleham home on 93-3 with nine balls to spare.

Newton le Willows welcomed Spennithorne and Harmby, the visitors taking to the crease first and got off to a fine start, scoring 71 before J Kitchenman was bowled for 32. Fellow opener T Mawer carried his bat and reached his 50 in the last over, finishing on 53no as Spennithorne totalled 102-3.

Newton found runs hard to come by at first, while R Gaze (4-21) kept picking up wickets before L Hatfield (18) and D Thompson (34no) then shared 41 for the sixth wicket, getting Newton within sight.

Needing four to win from the last over, Thompson dispatched the first ball out of the ground to finish on 105-6 and to secure Newton's first win of the season.

Richmondshire, playing at Gilling West against a nine-man West Tanfield, elected to bat first and made the most of Tanfield non-regular bowlers with C Swainston (67) and M Fleming (51) both making half centuries.

The only bowler Tanfield had was S Hodgson (3-38) who helped keep Richmond to 202-5.

Tanfield did not get off to a good start and were 8-3 at one point, however, they did manage to put some runs on the board before the inevitable occurred in the 15th over, with S Charlton (3-7) bowling particularly well to see Tanfield 68 all out.

Bedale, at home to Dales, found themselves up against some tight bowling with S Stanwix (3-9) and C Hardwick (2-14) both on form, with only Junior opener S Vernon making double figures with 45 not out as they set a total of 73-5.

Dales got off to a steady start with opener C Hardwick (30) as they progressed and passed the required total with five overs to spare as they finished on 75-4.

Crakehall welcomed Eryholme, and in a close game, saw Crakehall's opener L Haslam make 49 before being stumped as they set a total of 107-5.

In reply, Eryholme opener D Baldwin also had a good innings with 56 not out as they just fell short to finish on 107-4.

Thornton Watlass elected to bat first at home against Richmond Mavericks. The visitors kept the bowling tight, restricting Watlass to singles while picking up the odd wicket, K Tomlinson (3-11) and D Dale (2-2). Opener B Stead did persevere to make 34 and later S Loadman (19) helped set a total of 86-5.

Mavericks got off to a good start keeping up with the run rate with M Brown (25) and A Dunwoodie (19), before E Nicholson (4-51) took three wickets in the fourth over and onr in his next to slow it down. The Mavericks recovered with J Tomlinson 27 not out to finish on 92-4.

Waggon and Horses Bedale took first knock against Brompton on Swale. They got off to a slow start with tight bowling by N Armstrong (2-8) and M Tiplady (1-15) but, in the end, wickets did come courtesy of G Strafford (3-21) and S Dawson (2-20), while K Lumb boosted the runs with 27 not out as the Waggon set 69-8.

Brompton's openers failed to make an impact, and it was not until L Jones (34) and G Strafford (16) came to the crease that the runs started to flow - but it was left to J Brown (10no) to see them home in the 17th over. All four Waggon bowlers picked up a wicket as the final score for Brompton was 70-4.