Batting first the home side made a solid start and openers Dale Gibson and Ed McNicholas added 50 for the first wicket before Jamie Middleton had Gibson caught behind by Darrell Guy. Middleton (2-29) struck again when he had Michael Cole caught by Mark Hope and when Tom Shepherd bowled McNicholas (34) Thorp Arch were reduced to 58-3. Rowan Smith (39) and Ned Tomlinson (25) staged a good recovery, but they were both dismissed by spinner Alex Langhan and he worked his way through the batting. James Dugher also took a wicket as Selby took control despite late runs from Andy Jones (17) and Toby Wells (12 n.o.). The home side were restricted to 176-9 from their 45 overs with Langhan finishing with 5-41 from his 11 overs.

In reply Selby made their now usual good start with openers Matt Hoyle and Lee Wild putting on 54 for the first wicket before Nick Kassans bowled Hoyle for a rapid 34. Mark Hope joined Wild and they kept the visitors on track with some fine batting and they added 87 for the second wicket. Ollie Walsh trapped Hope leg before for a stylish 35 but Jamie Pickles joined Wild and they closed in on another win. Wild hit 9 boundaries in his unbeaten 59 and Pickles fired 3 fours and 2 sixes in his 28 not out as Selby reached the victory target in the 36th over. After four matches the league table is now taking shape and as expected Fairburn have made a good start and they sit top of the table with a 100% record, Londesborough Park are in second place with Selby just behind in third. Thanks go to match ball sponsor L.M. Hawke Transport and Selby are at home to Tadcaster Magnet I on Saturday.

York Senior League Division Four Ebor

Hillam & Monk Fryston I 307-5, Selby II 105

In Division Four It was a tough afternoon for Selby second team when they went down to a massive 202 run defeat to early season league leaders Hillam & Monk Fryston I at Sandhill Lane.

The visitors won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat first on another good looking track but there was a dramatic start when Nathan Dye had Ady Joynson caught behind by Gareth Harvey with the first ball of the game. Dye struck again when he had skipper Matt Smith caught by Oliver Steward and when Mark Redshaw bowled Lee Wood (21) the visitors were reduced to 40-3 but that was the high point for Selby as opener Rob Edwards and Will Vaks took control. The runs began to flow as the Selby bowlers and fielders had to work hard in warm conditions and the in form batsmen punished any loose bowling. A mammoth fourth wicket partnership of 196 was eventually ended when Mike Lane had Vaks caught behind for a big hitting 101, which included 7 fours and 6 sixes. Edwards kept the runs flowing and Luke Handley hit a rapid 21 until Nathan Dye (3-76) had him caught by Kayden Lane. The visitors closed on a huge 307-5 with Edwards hitting 15 fours and 3 sixes in his unbeaten 125.

Chasing the big total Selby made a bad start when Will Vaks (3-24) bowled skipper Graham Phillips and Mike Lane followed shortly after to leave the home side on 5-2. Oliver Steward worked hard for his 13 but wickets fell at regular intervals and the innings never really got going despite a defiant 29 from Sam Mason. Chris Harkin chipped in with 16 but Lee Wood (2-19) and Eric Frankland (2-12) kept Hillam in total control. A last wicket partnership of 32 between Kayden Lane (12 n.o.) and Mark Redshaw (21) gave the innings some respectability but the home side were bowled out in the 40th over for 105.

Selby face another tough game on Saturday when they travel to local rivals Kelfield, who have made a good start to life in the York Senior League after winning the York Vale League Division One last season.

York Vale League Division Three

Selby III 121, Church Fenton III 122-6

Selby third team were involved in another good game on Saturday but they went down to a four wicket defeat to Church Fenton III at Sandhill Lane.

Batting first Selby made steady progress and several batsmen made good starts but run scoring was not easy against some tight bowling from Warren Davies (2-13). Jack Huddlestone (12), Joe Bugg (17) both batted well and Sam Easthill hit a solid 13 but the home side struggled to 69-7 with Tracey Dancer taking 2-19. Rhys Roddick (20) got the scoreboard ticking over and late runs were added by Caspar Gray (12) and Mike Thorpe (6 n.o.) as Selby were bowled out for 121 in the 40th over.

In reply Church Fenton lost early wickets with Mike Thorpe taking 2-11 from his 8 overs but Warren Davies held the innings together until he was bowled by Dan Mcloughlin (3-52) for 34. The visitors slipped to 71-6 and Selby looked to be getting on top but Joseph Moorhouse hit 6 fours and a six in his unbeaten 46 and he enabled Church Fenton to knock the runs off in the 33rd over. Selby are in Scothern Cup action on Saturday when they travel to Pocklington IV.