YORK'S Simon Lambert became only the sixth player in the modern era of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League to record a double century.

Lambert's 209 not out against Cleethorpes at Clifton Park ranks as the fourth highest individual effort in the competition's recent history and set up a 303-run victory.

The hosts compiled a colossal 379-3 against previously unbeaten title rivals Cleethorpes. Nick Kay and Jake Murphy then shared all ten wickets as the visitors were bundled out for 76.

Lambert and opening partner Travis Ilka weathered an early barrage with the new ball, South African Tumi Masekela not afraid to use the short pitched delivery.

Lambert took up the challenge and in the ninth over struck the paceman for three boundaries to bring up 50 for the home side. Ilka, in only his second innings, looked assured making 30 in an opening partnership of 83 before chipping a catch to David Mansfield at extra cover off James Keast.

Lambert reached his century from 108 deliveries in the 34th over and, in the next, Liam McKendry struck a four which took the total past 200.

That was McKendry's ninth and final boundary as he was out two overs later having made 55 from 50 balls, caught at backward point by Jack Wilson off Alex Willerton.

The fourth-wicket stand by Lambert and Ryan McKendry (47) was the biggest of the innings, with both batsmen taking advantage of a tiring bowling attack and an increasingly weary display in the field.

By the time McKendry was out, caught at long leg attempting to hook a short ball from Masekela, the pair had added 130 runs in less than 15 overs.

Lambert reached his double century off the first ball of the final over, the 170th ball of his innings, and stroked the last ball of the over through cover for his 30th four to add to his four sixes, meaning 144 off his 209 came in boundaries.

Cleethorpes skipper Bill Kirby fell to the final ball of the first over, caught at second slip by Alex Collins, the first of five wickets for Murphy.

He picked up a second, bowling David Mansfield with the total on ten.

Kay was perhaps fortunate to pick up the wicket of Alex Osmond, stumped off a wide ball, but his next two wickets were testament to his ability to move the ball off the seam, Liam McKendry taking both catches standing up to the wicket.

The keeper claimed his fourth victim, catching Harry Warwick, the top scorer with 24, off Murphy as the visitors were 48-6.

Lambert capped a memorable day with an instinctive one-handed catch low to his left at wide gully off Kay to dismiss James Osmond.

Ian Mansfield (13) and Masekela (14) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Kay bowled Mansfield to finish with figures of 5-38 from 15 overs, and Murphy picked up the last two wickets, wrapping up the innings with 5-37 from 15.4 overs.