for the second time in three years the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League won the Yorkshire Inter-League Knock-Out competition after a hard-fought 36-run victory over the Nidderdale League at Stamford Bridge.

Having won the toss, the Nidderdale skipper's decision to bowl first was justified when his York opposite number Martin Piercy was caught at slip off the last ball of the first over without a run on the board.

But it was a long wait before any further success as Nick Hadfield and Andy Tute scored at virtually eight an over before Tute was bowled by Oliver Uffindall for 43. Two more wickets followed soon after while Tom Armstrong checked the scoring rate. The Bishop Thornton spinner conceded a mere 15 runs in his first six overs.

The Dunnington pairing of Harwood Williams and Paul Miles then wrestled the initiative back as they added 72 runs in a sixth-wicket stand which spanned 12 overs. It was ended by a direct throw which left Williams well short of his ground after making 43. Miles soon followed when he was caught for 30 off Armstrong who closed with a more than acceptable 3-38 from his ten overs and the York innings ended on 233-8.

Nidderdale's openers Jim Kenny and Uffindall laid a solid foundation easing to 58 before skipper Uffindall sportingly walked for a return catch to Andy Tute which some thought may have been a bump ball. After the fall of Chris Beaumont, Alne's Kenny and Pannal's Andy Ellis put on 64. At 134-2 Nidderdale needed 100 off 12 overs.

However, the innings was sent into decline when, at 136, both batsmen arrived at the same end and Kenny was run out for 63.

Opening bowlers Oral Blackford and Neil Laidlaw were recalled to great effect. Ellis was bowled by Blackford for 45, the Carlton Towers' paceman taking 2-46. Thirsk's Neil Laidlaw was even more potent, the teenage quickie taking 3-12 in 12 deliveries to close with 3-41 and leave Nidderdale on 197-8.

The winners were presented with the trophy and medals by former West Indian Test star Collis King, who represented the competition's new sponsor, Nixon Cricket of Malton.

Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League: M J Piercy (Easingwold) c Uffindall b Jankowitz 0, N D Hadfield (Woodhouse Grange) c Beaumont b Wray 57, A D Tute (Acomb) b Uffindall 43, J Mitchell (Beverley Town) lbw b Wray 22, H Williams (Dunnington) run out 43, J E Bean (Woodhouse Grange) c Beaumont b Armstrong 0, P A Miles (Dunnington) c Wray b Armstrong 30, F R Sykes (Acomb) not out 11, R J Medforth (Hornsea) c Ellis b Armstrong 2, O Blackford (Carlton Towers) not out 2, extras 23; Total 233-8. Bowling: K Jankowitz 8-0-46-1; T Ryder 4-0-27-0; O Uffindall 9-0-71-1; W Wray 9-0-42-2; T Armstrong 10-2-38-3.

Nidderdale Amateur Cricket League: J Kenny (Alne) run out 63, O Uffindall (Newby Hall) c & b Tute 27, C Beaumont (Alne) b Medforth 5, A Ellis (Pannal) b Blackford 45, K Jankowitz (Burton Leonard) st Miles b Laidlaw 3, T Ryder (Alne) b Laidlaw 6, S Potter (Newby Hall) b Blackford 4, W Wray (Bishop Thornton) c Miles b Laidlaw 6, T Armstrong (Bishop Thornton) not out 13, R Fiddes (Studley Royal) not out 3, extras 18; Total 197-8. Bowling: O Blackford 10-1-46-2; N Laidlaw 10-0-41-3; A D Tute 10-0-37-1; R J Medforth 10-0-62-1.

Updated: 11:34 Thursday, September 08, 2005