Driffield are left in a spin by Pringle

CAN anyone stop York in their relentless surge towards a fourth successive title?

It does not look that way with the Clifton Park men holding a 17-point lead over their nearest challengers Barnsley and Scarborough with 11 games played.

Last season York took the honours with 10 points to spare over runners-up Scarborough and they already have 74 points towards the 160 that won them the crown last time.

Despite successive wins against Yorkshire Academy and Appleby Frodingham, Driffield were outclassed by a York side high on confidence and quality. Leg-spinner Tom Pringle was outstanding, taking 6-20 in 8.3 overs, and he was ably assisted by opening bowler Tom Bartram, whose 14 overs included five maidens and earned him 3-26. Driffield were sent back for 94 in 33.3 overs and York won by eight wickets, opener Duncan Snell making an unbeaten 40.

Barnsley medium pacer Glenn Yates took 6-5 in five almost unplayable overs at Sheffield United. Spinner Richard Wilkinson also played his part by taking 3-9 in 8.4 overs and United collapsed from 62-2 to 73 all out in 28.4 overs. Gary Ballance struck a century for Barnsley, including 10 fours and three sixes as his side won by 176 runs.

Scarborough took six points from an eight-wicket win at Sheffield Collegiate. Yorkshire's Adam Lyth was out nine runs short of his century, having faced 82 balls and hit 14 fours and two sixes. Darren Harland, who carried his bat for 65, figured in an opening partnership of 90 with Andrew Simpson.

Castleford had a three-wicket win at Doncaster. Chasing 236-9, Castleford were in trouble at 84-6 but Scott Hopkinson and Chris Welburn had a seventh-wicket stand of 107, Hopkinson hoisting an undefeated 102 and Welburn making 53. Chris Spinella and James Stuart put on 75 for Town's fourth wicket.

Vic Craven and Ryan Bradshaw had a third-wicket stand of 160 for Harrogate, Craven making 90 and Bradshaw 88 as the home side totalled 309-4 and won by 205 runs against Hulll.

Kiwi Peter Fulton hit his second century of the campaign for Cleethorpes but Rotherham amassed 300-9 and won by 50 runs.

Yorkshire Academy left Appleby Frodingham anchored to the bottom with a 53-run win.