Title is York’s again as Leaning hits ton

With two matches still to play, York cannot be caught as they lead by 19 points with 16 available, while the Academy are 24 points ahead of third-placed Harrogate.

Leaning, who made 120, including 10 fours and a six, shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 191 with Alex Collins, whose 100 off 63 balls contained six fours and five sixes. Leaning’s fellow opener Duncan Snell struck a half-century and the pair’s partnership was worth 91.

York topped 300 for the fifth time in the league this season and Leaning then bowled 13 overs to grab 4-31 as the visitors were dismissed for 132 in 46.3 overs.

Academy had an eight-wicket home victory over Collegiate, Jonathon Tattersall striking an undefeated 76 off 86 balls. Karl Carver took 3-27 off 17 overs, including nine maidens.

Hugo Peterson bowled tidily for Harrogate, taking 5-19 in seven overs against Hull’s 10 men who were bowled out for 199 in 40.2 overs despite a defiant 75 from opener Peter Shally. Dave Barrick took six wickets for Hull but Harrogate won by two wickets, George Ross and Andy Hawkswell making half-centuries.

Abid Ali and Nick Hardgrave shared an unbroken partnership of 147 in Driffield Town’s nine-wicket eclipse of hosts Castleford. Ali had five fours and two sixes in his 91, Hardgrave’s 80 containing 10 fours and a six. Castleford captain Dominic Sharp made 77.

Ali Jahangir took 3-3 and made a useful 33 for Barnsley, who defeated visitors Appleby Frodingham by 120. Jahangir’s co-spinner Tom Craddock also bowled well to take 3-27 in 10 overs and captain Steve Nuttall played his part with 89, including eight boundaries.

Brothers Gareth and Chris Purshouse hit 52 and 44, respectively, in Rotherham Town’s six-wicket triumph at Sheffield United and left-arm spinner Oliver Jackson took 5-42 in 16 overs for Doncaster Town, who defeated Scarborough by nine wickets.