Champions York keep unbeaten record intact

THE final day of the season was an anti-climax with only two matches beating the weather.

Bad light and rain combined to ensure champions York finished the season undefeated as their home match against Castleford was cut short when finely balanced.

The start was delayed and York made 197-9 in 42 overs, Chris Young taking five wickets. No 3 Simon Mason was York's most successful batsman with a half-century and middle-order man Nick Kay played his part with 42.

Castleford fancied their chances of becoming the first side to defeat York in the league this season but after they had reached 159-6 in 36 overs, bad light ended the proceedings. Andrew Bourke made 81 for Castleford and Dan Woods's 3-36 took his season's tally for York to 82 wickets, eight short of the record set by Harrogate's James Stewart in 1999.

Woods finished level with Barnsley's Richard Wilkinson, who was denied the chance to go for the record as his side's game at Sheffield Collegiate was called off without a ball bowled.

Harrogate medium pace bowler Ben Biker put visitors Driffield Town to the sword with a 7-29 return from 9.4 overs, including four maidens. Town were hustled out for 66, their second lowest total of the season, Vic Craven taking the three wickets which eluded Biker. Harrogate lost three wickets for 18 runs before Nick Lindley and Craven saw them to a seven-wicket victory in 15 overs.

Rotherham Town finished the campaign with a fourth successive victory, defeating hosts Appleby Frodingham by 29 runs. The home side batted first and made 132, Nathan Smith taking 4-25. In reply, Town were in trouble at 70-7 but Smith was the match-winner, augmenting his bowling performance with a fine 71.

Doncaster Town were in a strong position against visitors Scarborough when rain ended their contest at Town Fields. Cleethorpes' home game against Hull was also cut short by rain. and there was no play in the game between Sheffield Collegiate and Barnsley.

Final positions: 1 York 181 pts, 2 Barnsley 153, 3 Yorkshire Academy 136, 4 Scarborough 123, 5 Rotherham Town 115, 6 Castleford 114, 7 Harrogate 92, 8 Doncaster Town 82, 9 Cleethorpes 74, 10 Sheffield Collegiate 74, 11 Driffield Town 73, 12 Appleby Frodingham 64, 13 Hull 39, 14 Sheffield United 36.