A NEWLY revamped Pilmoor Evening Cricket League season is underway after the inactivity of 2020.

The reduced number of clubs has resulted in there being just one division. Fixtures have been seeded to reduce the possibility of mismatches, and the eventual champions will be decided by late season play offs based on league positions after ten rounds of games.

A mid game super over has been added to the competition in an effort to stimulate interest and reverse the recent trend of clubs resigning from the league.

Points are now awarded as follows: Four points for a win, two for incomplete games, with an additional point available for the Super Over (half point for tied or non-played super over).

In the first round of fixtures, the only completed game was at Alne, where Alistair Jackson (22), S Morley (32) and Will Bell (23) helped the home side to 129 for eight. Geoff Pears took two for 26, then he and Joe Wright each made 20 as Crayke were all out for 115, with Crayke falling to the efforts of W Bell who took five for 18. Alne were denied the full five points when Crayke gained some consolation by winning the super over.

Easingwold were on top at Dringhouses but denied victory as the rain made further play impossible. Zac Wilson’s five for ten reduced the hosts to 60 all out, and Easingwold were well placed at 25 for two after Dringhouses had won the super over.

Sam Backhouse with 40 and Tommy Banks with 26 had done most to take Newburgh to 87 for seven when rain called a halt, Rich Brown having taken two for 26, Molly Ovenden two for 13 whilst Harry Ellis had just taken two for naught and was on a hat trick when the rain became too heavy.

Rain also ended proceedings at Thirsk, where Craig Ross with 34 not out and Matthew Wass with 20 not out had taken Sessay to 54 without loss in seven overs. Thirsk had missed several chances for the breakthrough in appalling light as both sides were desperate to play before having to accept the conditions were impossible.

The game at Sheriff Hutton Bridge got just beyond the half way point before the weather closed in. Mark Fisher made 50 and Danny Cass 48 as Bridge made 117 for three, then Bridge won the super over before the Clifton innings was aborted after just three overs.

Helperby were the side without a fixture.

Alne 129 for 8 (A Jackson 22, S Morley 32, W Bell 23, G Pears 2 for 26); Crayke 115 all out (G Pears 20, J Wright 20, W Bell 5 for 18). Super over: Crayke 18, Alne 14. Points: Alne 4, Crayke 1.

Dringhouses 60 all out (Z Wilson 5 for 10); Easingwold 25 for 2 – Rain stopped play. Super over: Dringhouses 16, Easingwold 8. Points: Dringhouses 3, Easingwold 2.

Newburgh 87 for 7 (S Backhouse 40, T Banks 26, R Brown 2 for 26, M Ovenden 2 for 13, H Ellis 2 for 0) v Raskelf – Rain stopped play. Points: Raskelf 2.5, Newburgh 2.5.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge 117 for 3 (M Fisher 50, D Cass 48) v Clifton Alliance – Rain stopped play. Super over: Sheriff Hutton Bridge 9, Clifton Alliance 6. Points: Sheriff Hutton Bridge 3, Clifton Alliance 2.

Sessay 54 for 0 (C Ross 34 not out, M Wass 20 not out) v Thirsk – Rain stopped play. Points: Thirsk 2.5, Sessay 2.5.