York celebrate their fifth ECB league win

They crushed their only rivals Rotherham Town by six wickets at Clifton Park to make sure of the title, with one week of the campaign remaining.

York have been remarkably consistent, spinners Tom Pringle and Dan Woods tormenting opposition batsmen and the prolific Duncan Snell setting especially high standards with the bat.

Pringle took 5-55 in 18 overs and Woods supported with 3-69 in 23 overs as Rotherham were dismissed for a modest 157 in 47 overs. York were by no means certain of victory at 86-4 but Snell and Ryan McKendry guided them home with no further loss. Snell batted throughout for 87.

Rotherham had the consolation of knowing they cannot be caught as runners-up, with third-placed Cleethorpes having to settle for six points from their home game with Hull. Cleethorpes amassed 327-6, their highest score of the season, with Bill Kirby making an undefeated 114 off 168 balls and enjoying an opening partnership of 112 with Charlie Tomlinson whose 61 came off 44 balls.

However, Hull resisted the home side’s attempts to bowl them out, finishing on 207-6 with Chris Grey on 68.

Yorkshire Academy also took six points from their six-wicket win at Castleford, who had the game’s top scorer in opener Brayden Clarke. He made 93 despite a five-wicket haul by leg-spinner Jonathon Tattersall. Alex Lees hit 91 in the successful reply.

An opening stand of 140 by Duncan Heath and captain Matt Morland helped Appleby Frodingham maintain their late season improvement at the expense of hosts Doncaster Town. Alex Gosney (95) and Curtis Free fashioned an eighth-wicket partnership of 84 for Doncaster but it was not enough. Jack Forrester was the victors’ best bowler with 4-38.

Sheffield Collegiate made it three wins in a row but it needed an unbroken stand of 44 from Ed McKenna and Tom Lister to see the visitors home by one wicket at Scarborough.

Harrogate won by 18 runs at Sheffield United, while Barnsley beat Driffield by 78 runs.