Bradshaw making the switch in style

RYAN Bradshaw, who captained Methley to the Central Yorkshire League title last year, hopes to have a big impact in charge of Harrogate and he hoisted his first century of the season against Sheffield United at St George's Road.

Bradshaw was undefeated on 103 as Harrogate posted their highest score of the campaign and had 167 runs to spare. Vic Craven was Harrogate's top scorer with 112, including 12 fours and a six, while Bradshaw struck 10 fours and the pair had a stand of 194. Dan Craven's slow left-arm deliveries earned him 4-43.

Champions York made it a bad day for the Sheffield clubs as they overcame Sheffield Collegiate by 176 runs at Clifton Park.

Duncan Snell and Liam McKendry had an opening partnership of 145, York proceeding to 320-6. Snell's contribution was 88, McKendry making 69.

Leg-spinner Tom Pringle then took 5-34 and Sheffield's total of 144 would have been much less had it not been for a valiant 41 from No 9 Nadeem Khan and 28 by Alex Patmore batting at six.

Scarborough were deposed as leaders by Castleford, who won a low-scoring affair by two wickets at Savile Park. Chris Young and captain John Randerson restricted Scarborough to 160 in 54.4 overs. Piet Rinke then took five wickets but Castleford squeezed home to victory in the 51st over, Randerson and Alex Romaniw making 35.

Andrew Parkin-Coates and Alex Gosney had an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership for fourth-placed Doncaster, who defeated visitors Appleby Frodingham by seven wickets. Parkin-Coates' 87 came off 120 balls and included six fours, Gosney supporting splendidly with 70. James Stuart also made 52 and took 3-47.

Duncan Heath had the consolation of making 95 for the losers, hitting seven boundaries.

Yorkshire Academy's batsmen enjoyed themselves at Hull, who are still without a point. Openers Alex Lees and Callum Geldart plundered 136 and 72, respectively, Lees slamming 16 boundaries before being run out and Geldart reaping 14 fours. Jack Leaning was left undefeated on 60 as the Academy totalled 299-4 and won by 133 runs.

An unbeaten 89 by Gary Ballance on his return from county duty with Yorkshire was the highlight of Barnsley's six-wicket victory at Cleethorpes.