Knowing that leaders York had been awarded eight points by the league committee for an unplayed match against the Yorkshire Academy last month, they lost their final match – ironically at home to the Academy.
Starting the day five points behind Yo
rk, Castleford knew that nothing less than a victory over the Academy would do.
Jonathon Bairstow (80) and Joe Root (45) were the main contributors to their 177, Luke Patel taking 5-46 and John Randerson 4-58. Castleford were then dismissed for 113.
Meanwhile, York, buoyed by their successful appeal against the original league decision to uphold the abandonment of the match at Headingley, were up against stiff opposition in visitors Sheffield United.
Nick Armstrong (58), Adam Wilson (32) and Matt Milburn (30) gave United some hope by helping them to 189, Stan Wilson (4-36) and Alex Renton (3-48) making life difficult. Tom Fletcher (5-67) and Wilson (4-33) then had the contest balanced on a knife-edge, Marcus Wood's 43no being the key contribution to York's 139-9 and the bonus point that seemed so vital at the time but which in the end proved academic.
Andrew Parkin-Coates's bid to make 1,000 runs this season for Doncaster Town was foiled by his own value as a bowler.
He took 4-4 in 3.4 overs and James Stuart 3-0 in two overs as visitors Cleethorpes suffered an astonishing collapse in going from 25-2 to 29 all out.
That innings lasted 21.4 overs but Doncaster passed the winning line in six overs, despite losing two wickets, Alex Gosney finishing on 15no and Parkin-Coates 5no.
Simon Widdup could lay claim to the all-rounder of the day title, however.
He took 4-50 for Barnsley as Sheffield Collegiate were dismissed for 170 and then scored 105no in a seven-wicket victory.
Michael Simpson (27) and Robert Greaves (25no) did best for Collegiate, Joe Ellis (3-27) also getting among the wickets.
Widdup's innings lasted 129 balls and included 15 fours and a six.
James Moorhouse just failed to finish the campaign with a century, the Rotherham Town middle-order batsman being caught on the boundary edge for 97 at Appleby Frodingham.
Moorhouse hit a six and eight fours in Town's 272-7, Sayeed Naveed taking 4-89.
The Lincolnshire side were unlucky to lose Ryan Dewey retired hurt after making 62 in their 164-6.
Joe Fraser's 92 not out for Driffield Town was another major effort that proved decisive. He helped to take Town to 177-9, Piet Rinke bagging 3-32, and Scarborough could only reply with 159.
Harrogate played their full part in an exciting contest at Hull & YPI, making 212. Hull replied with 216-9, Matthew Wilkinson (70) and his brother Danny (61) doing just enough.
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