Rowntrees hopes of repeating last years good cup run were soon in disarray when their makeshift attack was plundered by Whitkirk’s openers, Craig Shipton and Grant Galloway. The pair had made serene progress to 148 before they were parted when the latter fell for 62. Mark Murphy made 28 but Shipton was un-movable as he carried his bat for an unbeaten 281-8 to see the Leeds side post a total of 281-8. Rowntrees bowler Dave Whittle had his analysis transformed by a last over hat-trick which enabled him to close with 4 for 49 whilst occasional bowler Mick Jones took 3 for 45. Second team opener Chris Todd then made 27 and Gerry Capelin 31 but Rowntrees were rolled over for 139 as  Nick Pickard took 4 for 14 and Tom Foxton 3 for 22.

The difference between divisions two and three was clearly evident when the higher rated Sewerby side gained a 162 run victory at Hovingham. The cliff-toppers revelled in the more sheltered surroundings of the Ryedale club to post a score of 284-7 with Mike Artley 82 and Robin Coates 81no providing significant scores. Hovingham’s reply was never threatening as Shaun Acton’s 3-22 helped end the innings at 122.

Having been beaten finalists in last year’s Premier Cup, Studley Royal made a somewhat inglorious exit in the first round of the Readman Trophy when they suffered a 77 run home defeat at the hands of Driffield II who, coincidently, were beaten in last year’s Readman Final. Father and son pairing of Mick Drury 75 and sam (43) were the main contributors to Driffield’s 216-5 with Andy Mackle taking 3 for 44. The sole mentionable response came from Rob Nicholson with 37 but Nick Johnson with 3-25 blotted out Royal’s reply at 139 all out.

Sheriff Hutton took first use of their highly rated playing surface when they entertained Ripon but, in making 223-5, were perhaps some 50 runs short of par. Home batsman Joel Wilford made exactly 100 not out whilst Richard Coverdale weighed in with 37. When Ripon replied, Dirk Van Dyke fully exploited the ideal batting strip and speedy outfield to hit 136  whilst skipper Gary Blackburn also demonstrated his liking for the conditions by making 57no as Ripon romped to an 8 wicket triumph.

Despite receiving a net input of 30 runs from the handicapper, Welton & Brough were well outclassed by twice previous trophy winners Duncombe Park who ran out winners by 155 runs. Half centuries from Peter Humpleby 56 and Dave gardiner 59, abetted by Rob Harding’s 34 saw Park reach 271-8. Steve Scammells took 3 for 53 for the Humbersiders but his effort was eclipsed by Mike Harding whose 4 for 43 had Welton back in the pavilion for 116 with only James Beaton 41 offering hope for the home supporters.

The result of the game between Osbaldwick and Stillington has not been received.

With their ground staging an ECB Yorkshire League game, Hull & Hull YPI conceded ground advantage to New Earswick but had a rewarding journey when they triumphed by 6 wickets. Paul Stimpson made 42no and Nige Pepper 25 for the surrogate hosts but their progress to a viable total was hampered by Simon Powdrill with 3 for 13. Hull then went past Earswick’s 136-8 for the loss of 4 wickets with Josh Murphy making 28no.

Four Pocklington batsmen made good contributions to their total of 218-9 when they batted first at Bolton Percy. Dan Nesbitt was top of the four with 44, closely followed by John Chaplin with 43. Thee total was then boosted by Neil Jackson 37no and Ian Camwell 39no who iced the cake despite Alistair Rigby’s 3-23. mark Westwood then provided the games highest score as he made 76 but an incisive 6 overs from Josh Room saw him take 4 for 16 to cut down Bolton for 179 midway through the 35^th over.

Batting first at St Helen’s Road, home side Dringhouses were dismissed for 182 as Selby’s Mike Smailes produced the day’s best bowling figures. The former Hemingbrough player claimed 5 for 23 but faced resolute batting from John Crowe 51, Andy Kenyon 30 and Gary Wilson who was unbeaten with 25. Replying for Selby, Matt Hoyle made 32 and Mal Bowden 29, but the wiles of Mick Kenyon, honed over a lengthy career, proved to be Selby’s undoing and his 4 for 21 sent the visitors tumbling to defeat at 161 all out.

Fenner had little difficulty in disposing of Scarborough II despite being one division lower than their visitors. With 15 runs start, Fenner posted a total of 252-6 with Craig Denby  making 58no and Ross Davy 55 and Mike Cooke 44 also prospering. The Fenner bowlers then shared out the spoils as Scarborough struggled to 126-8.

The most thrilling finish of the day was undoubtedly at Carlton Towers where home supporters were on tenterhooks as their side claimed victory by a mere two runs over a Civil Service side who almost utilised their 30 run handicap to their advantage. Darren Graves was Carlton’s batting hero with an unbeaten 89 but was closely followed by Jonathon Dilks who hit 67 in his side’s 231-4.  Boosted by their 30 free runs, Service mounted a good response with Jim Griffin 43, Simon Brown 34 and Mark Lancelot 26 propelling them to the threshold of victory. Fifteen years old home bowler, Grant Nicholson built on his three wickets 24 hours earlier for the League’s Under 21 side, by taking 3 for 39  as he linked up with Graham Spence 3-33 to dismiss Service for 229 with just two deliveries to spare.

Having been regarded chiefly as a bowler last season, Bridlington teenager casey Rudd has emerged as a matchwinning batsman this season and asdded to his reputation by hitting an unbeaten 91 to help his side overcome a 30 run handicap to inflict a first defeat of the season on third division leaders Londesbrough Park. The Market weighton based side had been able to set a target of 209-7 through Charle Rook, who made 63no, Stu Medley 42 and Dan Howard 33. However this proved to be well within the scope of Bridlington who are in hot pursuit of a premier division place as Rudd had support from father Barry with 40 and Richard Lount 34 as a 7 wicket win was achieved.

It was a joyful day at Crayke where not only did the home side defeat Castleford by 44 runs but former Crayke skipper Jonathon Wright made his first appearance after an extremely lengthy and life threatening illness and contributed 27 to his side’s total of 251-9. Mark Hutchinson was top scorer with 74 whilst there was also a half century from Jamie Metcalfe who made 53 as Rob Slater took 3-30 for the visitors. There were also two half centurions in the Castleford ranks as Simon Tucker made 52 and Scott Hopkinson 53. Danny Wells added 26 whilst the side benifitted from a 45 run handicap. Howver all this proved to be inadequate as Ali Raper with 4 for 35 and spinner Dave Thomas, who took 3-37, closed Castleford’s reply on 207.

Yapham were unable to raise a side for their scheduled visit to  St George’s Road and handed Harrogate a free passage into round two.