Scarborough return to winning ways

ANDY Simpson got Scarborough back on track after a series of setbacks for the North Marine Road side.

Scarborough began the season like greyhounds out of the traps with five successive wins in League and Cup but then hit a slump until Saturday's home victory by 98 runs against Appleby Frodingham who dropped to the foot of the table.

Simpson struck 19 fours and a six in his innings of 142 as he and Darren Harland had an opening partnership of 111. Captain Harland was happy to play an anchor role but his knock of 45 contained eight boundaries. Ashley Lyth contributed a useful undefeated half-century and his fourth-wicket partnership with Simpson was worth 148. Spinner James Finch took 3-26 and Lyth's first bowling stint of the season earned the medium pacer 3-30 as Appleby Frodingham were dismissed for 171. Chyaz Younas made 64 off 50 deliveries for the losers.

Barnsley failed to stop the charge of reigning champions York at the top. Century-maker Dan Wilson had a second-wicket partnership of 160 with Simon Mason whose innings of 70 contained nine fours. Nick Kay then made a quick-fire 73 in a fifth wicket stand of 92 with Liam McKendray.

York topped the 300 mark for the fourth time this season, winning by 101 runs, but Barnsley's Simon Widdup remains the League's highest-scoring batsman this season with 456 runs after joining Steve Nuttall in hitting another half-century. David Wood grabbed six wickets for York.

Hull climbed off the foot of the table with a second successive victory. After winning at Scarborough they went to Sheffield United and again came out on top. Chris Grey made his maiden Yorkshire League century with an undefeated 126 containing 13 boundaries. Grey and Dave Barrick had a second wicket stand of 169, Barrick making 89 and then taking four wickets. United's Reece Shutt was run out for 67.

Rotherham Town continued their resurgence by eclipsing visitors Doncaster Town by 185 runs, while Castleford captain John Randerson took 3-3 in six overs in a five-wicket victory at Harrogate. Yorkshire Academy suffered a second successive defeat at home to Driffield.