Attenborough and Stuart lead the way

JAMES Stuart, Doncaster Town's 18-year-old pace man, completed a hat-trick at Cleethorpes where his side were five-wicket winners.

Stuart bowled out Town's last three batsmen and finished with 4-15 in 8.4 overs. New Zealander Peter Fulton struck 11 fours and a six in his innings of 85 in Cleethorpes's 195. Graham Attenborough, who took three wickets, then carried his bat for Doncaster with 112 as his side won in the 49th over.

Driffield's 202 against visitors Appleby Frodingham was the highest score of the day, Nick Hardgrave contributing 84 towards the total. Carl Taylor had a five-wicket haul for Frodingham but Driffield's David Brent was even deadlier with the ball, taking 6-16 as the visitors succumbed for 93.

Castleford, who began the day in second place behind York, lost ground to several of their rivals after going down at home to Yorkshire Academy by nine runs. Gurman Randhawa was the Academy's match-winner, taking 5-33 with his off-spin attack and making 28 valuable runs while batting at No 7. Ashley Robinson and Ben Coad also made vital contributions with a partnership of 28 for the last wicket and Jack Hughes played his part by taking 3-12. The Academy were bowled out for 113 in 54.2 overs but it proved sufficient.

Leaders York, without captain Dave Barrick, were eight-wicket winners at Hull who were dismissed for 126, Tom Bartram claiming 5-38. York took just 23 overs to overhaul the home total, Simon Mason making an unbeaten half-century and Liam McKendray 33 not out.

Scarborough climbed into second place after a seven-wicket home win over Sheffield United. Ashley Lyth took 4-24 as United were shot out for 143 in the 47th over and suffered a third successive defeat. Andrew Simpson and Darren Harland made half-centuries and put on 98 runs for the first wicket for the home side.

Opener Joe Root struck 13 fours and a six his 93 for Sheffield Collegiate who lost by three wickets at Rotherham.

Barnsley, meanwhile, defeated Harrogate by seven wickets, Glenn Yates taking 6-44 and spinner Richard Wilkinson 4-23 in 17.4 overs. Barnsley's Steve Nuttall made an undefeated 47 off 39 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.