Duncombe Park became the first side to win the York Senior Cricket League's Edward Readman Trophy for a second time when they defeated Whitkirk by 70 runs in a well-staged final at Stillington

Park, who were the first winners of the trophy in 1999 and runners up in 2001, were invited to bat by Whitkirk who were keen to make amends for their last-ball defeat to York in last year's final.

They progressed to 39 before opener Dave Gardner was caught by Oral Blackford off Brett Hugo for eight.

Skipper Brian Leckenby was then joined by Aussie Adam Rayner who had made 26 when he was bowled by Jonathon Leece at 75. Leece also accounted for Peter Humpleby who made 19 but Leckenby and Peter Kent embarked on a profitable partnership which ensured a good score for the Helmsley-based side.

Nine runs short of a ton Leckenby was caught by Craig Shipton off Blackford's bowling at 169-4. The same bowler then dismissed Kent for 24 before a handy 14no from Mike Harding took Duncombe Park to a competitive 196-5.

Whitkirk's reply followed the pattern of their opponents' innings in the early stages as they moved to 33 before an ill-judged call saw danger-man Craig Shipton run out for five.

Fellow opener and skipper Andrew Peirson, a former Duncombe player, moved to 33 but was then dismissed by Will Smith with the aid of a Kent catch.

Kent's introduction into the attack severely curbed the run-rate as he conceded a mere two runs in his first three overs.

The resultant pressure, aided by good fielding and catching, saw Whitkirk lose four wickets for just 14 runs as Kent (2-23) and Adam Rayner (2-25) carved the heart out of the innings. Brett Hugo offered a smidgeon of hope in making 26 while Luke Masey made 24no in a hopeless cause when the required run rate had rocketed to an unassailable level as his side closed on 126-8.

Brian Leckenby received the Edward Readman Trophy, his side's third of the season, from Rosemary Readman and also was awarded the man-of-the-match award by adjudicator Neil Readman.

Duncombe Park: D Gardner c Blackford b Hugo 8; D B Leckenby c Shipton b Blackford 91; A Raynor b Leece 26; P M Humpleby c Murphy b Leece 19; P Kent b Blackford 24; M Harding not out 14; A Plowman not out 4; extras 10; Total 196-5.

Did not bat: R Harding, S Richardson, W Smith, E J Kirby.

Fall: 1-39 2-75 3-105 4-169 5-178.

Bowling: O Blackford 8-1-33-2; B Hugo 8-0-30-1; M Murphy 6-0-24-0; S Pickles 8-0-50-0; J Leece 8-0-29-2; J Colley 2-0-20-0.

Whitkirk: C Shipton run out 5; A Peirson c Kent b Smith 33; N Edgecock c Kent b R Harding 17; S Pickles b Raynor 6; B. Hugo c M Harding b Kirby 26; M Murphy lbw b Kent 1; J Colley c Leckenby b Kent 2; L Masey not out 24; O Blackford b Raynor 2; J Leece not out 9; extras 10; Total 126-8.

Did not bat: J Tate.

Fall: 1-33 2-51 3-68 4-76 5-78 6-82 7-117 8-123.

Bowling: A Raynor 8-1-25-2; E J Kirby 8-1-21-1; W Smith 8-1-38-1; P Kent 8-2-23-2; R Harding 8-1-24-1.

Duncombe Park won by 70 runs.

Updated: 11:19 Thursday, August 19, 2004