Spinners hit back as York surge clear

ANY realistic hopes Scarborough had of challenging holders York to this season's Championship crown melted in the sun at Clifton Park.

Scarborough finished runners-up last term but are fourth at the halfway stage this time, 25 points behind unbeaten York, who defeated them by 57 runs.

York were put in to bat and, despite a half-century from opener Duncan Snell, looked in trouble at 129-7. However, Tom Bartram and Tom Pringle added 48 for the eighth wicket and last pair Daniel Woods and wicket-keeper Nigel Durham added an unbroken 20 to lift the total to 215-9. Paceman Piet Rinke took 5-45 from 19 overs but York's spinners, Tom Pringle (5-44) and Daniel Woods (4-56) struck back.

Yorkshire Academy replaced opponents Barnsley in second place after winning by 54 runs at Weetwood. Captain and opening batsman Alex Lees made 77, including nine boundaries, despite a five-wicket haul by spinner Richard Wilkinson from his 21 overs. An unbroken last-wicket partnership of 49 by Jack Price and Luke Bullingham had taken Barnsley to 141-9.

Doncaster Town defeated visitors Driffield by seven runs. Australian Chris Spinella and James Stuart made scores in the 80s for Doncaster, sharing a fourth-wicket partnership of 142.

Driffield opener Sam Drury, his uncle Rob Drury and Nick Hardgrave struck half-centuries but medium-pacer Andrew Parkin-Coates took six wickets in his 15 overs and Driffield fell just short with their last pair at the wicket.

In the battle of the bottom two, Appleby Frodingham climbed off the foot of the table with an eight-wicket victory over visitors Hull. Heath brothers John and Duncan took seven wickets between them as Hull were bowled out for 144 in 42.5 overs. Appleby Frodingham reached their objective in 32.1 overs, opener and captain Matt Morland hitting an undefeated 63 and Duncan Heath making 59.

Harrogate had a seven-run win against visitors Cleethorpes, for whom Kiwi international Peter Fulton hit his third century of the season, chasing 217-9. Vic Craven took five vital wickets for Harrogate in his 20 overs.

Sheffield United lost by 211 runs to Rotherham. Gerhadus Rudolph struck 18 fours in his 104 before paceman Ben Sanderson took 7-32 in 12 overs as the hosts fell for 86.