McCAIN'S Frozen Foods have been the traditional sponsors of clashes between Scarborough and York at North Marine Road for a quarter of a century, but there was certainly nothing chilly about the sun-drenched encounter where York, chasing Scarborough's 251-8, finished just 15 behind, writes John Herbert.

Scarborough chose to bat, a decision rightly dictated by a firm pitch and a baking afternoon. They were surprised by the early loss of Darren Harland, trapped lbw in Robert Flack's first over. But Aussie Clint Heron was in rampant mood and found a willing ally in Phil Seed.

Together they furnished a stand of 99 before Heron fell to a debatable diving catch by York wicket-keeper Nigel Durham.

But Nick Tubbs soon made himself comfortable and raised another 96 with Seed, as York's fielding, normally excellent, withered in the warmth.

The best of York's bowlers was off-spinner Stephen Piercy, who toiled 21 successive overs for a tidy 4-73 return.

His harvest included both Heron and Seed, who lifted him into the crowd to reach three figures and was bowled trying a repeat next ball.

With hindsight, Piercy might have been advised to rest a little longer and not open York's reply.

He was the only batsman undone by the pitch, spooning a catch to Will Mallory at mid-wicket off a Peter Beard delivery that virtually stopped dead.

Simon Mason and Nick Kay looked good, reaping havoc with anything off line. They put on 90 when Mason, frustrated in the forties, became the first of three victims for nagging Neil Fletcher. His square-armed seamers were very hard to get away. They might have been better rewarded, but wicket-keeper Tom Whitmarsh was not at his best.

To Fletcher's visible annoyance, York took full advantage until Kay chipped leg spinner Rob Barlow to Heron and Fletcher himself took a sharp return catch of Nash Stone.

By now, York's victory hopes were slipping, but by virtue of reaching 236-6, they passed the 90 per cent response mark, restricting the points 6-2 in Scarborough's favour.

Meanwhile, Doncaster's championship hopes took a bashing when they were rolled over for just 103 in reply to Sheffield Collegiate's 161-9 at Town Fields.

Collegiate, held together by Richard Kettleborough and Charlie Wall, were undone by the spin of Paul Stokoe and Duncan Jones, but it was their own leg-spinner Mark Boocock (4-37) who did most damage as Doncaster folded.

With Harrogate resting, title-holders Collegiate have gone to the top of the table, but Sheffield United's challenge has faded after a surprise defeat at Castleford. Barnsley just scraped home against Rotherham and Driffield enjoyed a rare success at Appleby Frodingham, while the Cleethorpes-Hull contest ended in the first tie of the summer.

HoldersYorkshire Academy beat Doncaster on a faster scoring rate in a rain-ruined Yorkshire League Cup semi-final at New Rover yesterday.

A century from Simon Widdup helped Doncaster to post an impressive 243-6, but two lengthy rain interruptions brought the run-rate calculation into play. The Academy reached 183-4 when bad light forced curtailment. The Yorkshire Academy will now meet the winners of next Sunday's Harrogate v Sheffield United clash.

The Yorkshire League beat the Aire/Wharfe League by four wickets in yesterday's Costcutter Yorkshire Leagues' KO final at Dunnington yesterday.

The Aire/Wharfe League were shot out for 76 and the Yorkshire League, after an opening stand of 63, contrived to lose six wickets in the chase.

Sheffield Collegiate's Andy Wylie (4-6) removed the cream of the Aire/Wharfe batting to claim the man of the match award.

York's Simon Mason (35) was partnered by Stephen Clark (26) in the alliance that ensured victory.

Aire/Wharfe League 76 (A Wylie 4-6, A Carrington 2-9, P Hepworth 2-9).

Yorkshire League 76-6 (S Mason 35, S Clark 26, B Singleton 3-18, R Winter 3-6).

Updated: 11:32 Monday, August 19, 2002