York beat Doncaster by 63 runs at Clifton Park but did no more than maintain their leadership of the Yorkshire ECB Premier League as Harrogate also enjoyed a comprehensive victory over Sheffield United.

York's success margin was 63 runs but the result was in doubt for some time as Doncaster batted deep and scored quickly but went to defeat with 14 overs unused.

Electing to bat, York got a flying start from Michael Sheedy and Dan Broadbent in an opening partnership of 65. Sheedy departed unnecessarily early to an Andy Chadwick stumping but this brought Simon Mason's power into play. He plundered 94 off 101 balls with 14 boundaries to his credit. Only a fine six-stopping boundary catch prevented him getting a century. Duncan Snell added a controlled 40 in the final dash for the 264 total

Doncaster's reply suffered an immediate reverse as Sheedy took an outstanding slip catch off Nick Kay, who proceeded to rip the heart out of the Doncaster innings to finish with 5-54.

At 77-6, Doncaster looked on their knees but former Yorkshire player Simon Widdup forged a 53 partnership with Chadwick which took his side to 130 with 31 overs remaining.

Jonny Bairstow stemmed the flow by claiming Chadwick with his first delivery. Widdup found a useful ally in Sajid Shah and, with little more than four an over as a target, the match was in the balance when Broadbent struck. He produced a turning shooter that forced a catch from Widdup.

With runs still leaking, York reverted to pace for Kay to dismiss Shah with an astonishing return catch before Thornicroft castled Paul Stokoe to complete proceedings.

York: M Sheedy st Chadwick b Graca 26, D Broadbent b Stokoe 41, S Mason c Attenborough b Gilbert 94, D Snell b Gilbert, N Kay not out 17, N Thornicroft c Chadwick b Gilbert 7, M Wood lbw b Gilbert 0, R Flack not out 9.

Bowling: S Shah 16-3-64-0, C Gilbert 10-1-62-4, W Graca 17-0-68-1, H Butt 4-0-17-0, P Stokoe 8-1-34-1.

Doncaster Town: G Attenborough c Sheedy b Kay 1, A Parkin-Coates lbw b Thornicroft 29, C Gilbert b Thornicroft 22, H Butt st Durham b Kay 0, A Rennison lbw b Kay 9, P Ellis c&b Kay 1, S Widdup c Sheedy b Broadbent 37, A Chadwick lbw b Bairstow 32, S Shah c&b Kay 40, W Graca not out 19, P Stokoe b Thornicroft 0.

Bowling: N Thornicroft 11.4-1-70-3, N Kay 12-2-54-5, D Broadbent 9-1-43-1, J Bairstow 8-0-29-1.

Updated: 09:02 Monday, August 08, 2005