A FINE all-round display by Andy Mollitt was instrumental in propelling the Wensleydale Evening League to victory in the annual inter-league cup match against the Northallerton Evening League.

The match took place at Masham, where home captain Dion Wood won the toss and elected to bat.

He opened with Masham team-mate Brook Siegert and the pair made a solid start, pushing the score to 80 before Wood was lbw for 49.

L Haslam joined Siegert at the crease and the pair put another 47 runs on the board before Haslam was caught by R Bentley for 21.

That brought Mollitt to the crease and he wasted no time, hitting a quick-fire 25 not out from just 18 balls.

Siegert was eventually bowled for 63 by D Willey, while C Ellerbeck remained unbeaten on 11 as Wensleydale finished with 176-3 off the 30 overs. Willey was the pick of the bowlers with 2-27 off four overs.

Northallerton also got off to a great start in reply, making 72 before losing C Cowton caught by M Woodcock off the bowling of young Dale Marshall.

Wickets then gradually fell throughout the innings, but with Chris Marshall still at the crease Northallerton always had a chance.

Mollitt was collecting wickets for fun and claimed Marshall for 55 in the 25th over, effectively killing off Northallerton's victory hopes.

They were all out for 147 after 27.4 overs, Mollitt recording the best bowling figures of 5-20 from six overs.

A very pleasant day of cricket was enjoyed by all those present, with Wensleydale delighted to bring the trophy back to the Dales after losing to Northallerton in the previous two years.

The trophy was presented to Wensleydale captain Dion Wood by Mrs Sylvia Warne, wife of the editor of the D&S Times, sponsors of the Wensleydale Evening League and this annual trophy.

Wensleydale: D Wood, B Siegert, L Haslam, A Mollitt, C Ellerbeck, D Marshall, J Peacock, B Fudali, M Woodcock, T Marshall, D Chapman, C Marshall.

Northallerton: A Clemmitt, C Cowton, C Marshall, D Mulholland, P Sunley, D Willey, M Hill, G Kay, J Leather, R Bentley, R Tate.