AFTER the disappointment of defeat at Sheffield United a week ago, York bounced back to secure a six-wicket success against Cleethorpes at Clifton Park on Saturday.

Batting first, Cleethorpes were a hesitant, almost slow motion bunch, except for admirable Aussie, Shane Deitz. Deitz held them together, stroked an elegant path to his first Yorkshire League century, and provided his bowlers with something worthwhile to defend.

Along the way, teenager James Osmond, relaxing from his A-Levels, was given a practical examination of a different sort. He showed pass mark promise before edging first change Stone into the gloves of York skipper Nigel Durham. The end product, was a total of 180-6, not really enough on one of the county's flatter tracks.

York contrived to make life difficult but Cleethorpes will rue the injury that deprived them of arrow-straight pace man John Davies.

York's gratitude for divine intervention was characterised by a match-winning stand of 94 between Kay and Stone.

Booth ooze ability. Now they turned potential into profit and York were well on their way when Kay's impressive knock ended on 69 with a catch to wicket-keeper Graham Wilson off young seamer Stuart Airey.

Stone finished undefeated on 69 to steer York home with seven overs to spare.

Harrogate showed no mercy against struggling Castleford at St George's Road. With Ryan Bradshaw (89) hitting top form for the first time this season, plus valuable 40s from Khaled Hussain-Butt and leading run-getter Alexis Twigg, they piled up a virtually unassailable 247-9.

Castleford were never in the hunt as Dave Pennett and Dave Crowther ripped out the top order to see them finish 100 behind.

Despite an opening stand of 104 between Clint Heron and Nick Tubbs, plus a useful 31 from skipper Darren Harland Scarborough's 213-7 didn't post a big threat to rampant title-holders, Sheffield Collegiate.

Collegiate's captain Richard Kettleborough powered his way to an unbeaten century, while Stephen Clark blossomed to score 55.

Tubbs picked up a couple of scalps near the end but the visiting title-holders coasted to a seven-wicket victory.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, May 27, 2002