ADAM WHATLEY’S maiden Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League century laid the platform for York’s third consecutive victory.

Spinner Ryan McKendry then claimed 6-51 to ensure the Clifton Park side collected maximum points from their 211-run home win against Cleethorpes.

Overseas signing Whatley dominated the early proceedings and raced to his half-century off only 29 balls.

The Australian was particularly harsh on his Cleethorpes counterpart Laurence Redmond, who was removed from the attack after conceding six boundaries in his opening three overs, all but one from the bat of Whatley.

The change of bowling made little difference as York’s openers plundered 100 off the first 15 overs.

Simon Lambert was left to play the supporting role as Whatley went to his century with a straight six, his second fifty coming marginally quicker than the first.

York looked on course to challenge the 379-3 they made in last season’s corresponding fixture as the total reached 178 in only the 25th over before the first wicket fell.

Lambert, having reached his half-century in the previous over, went for 50 to a good catch by Joe Baker running in from long on off the bowling of Paul Sunley.

Whatley, whose 119 came from 66 balls, containing 17 fours and 5 sixes, fell in the same bowler’s next over to a catch on the boundary at deep square leg with the total on 182.

Any hope of some respite for the fielding side was quickly dispelled as brothers Liam and Ryan McKendry continued the innings in the same vein.

The pair added 77 in less than eight overs before Liam became the first of three wickets for Alex Willerton (3-79), caught by Ian Mansfield at mid-on for 46.

Mansfield, at short mid-wicket, then held a sharp chance off Redmond to dismiss Ryan for 45.

York lost three wickets in quick succession, including Alex Collins, making his 200th League appearance, but by that stage the total had already passed 300.

Tom Brooks (22no) and Charlie Elliot (38) added 56 for the eighth wicket, and it was the latter’s departure with the total on 358 that brought about the home side's declaration, keeping five overs in hand to attempt to bowl out the visitors.

Cleethorpes’ reply began badly, Bill Kirby picking out Ryan McKendry at point in Chris Burn’s first over.

In truth, apart from a second-wicket partnership of 71 between David Mansfield (47) and skipper Harry Warwick (37), they never really looked likely to withstand York’s bowling attack.

The first of McKendry’s six wickets came when Warwick was bowled attempting to sweep the spinner and three further wickets in the space of six runs reduced the visitors to 89-5.

Tom Pringle then got in on the act with wickets in consecutive overs as the score limped to 102-7.

Having played a something of a lone hand, Mansfield was dismissed three short of a half-century, Liam McKendry racing from slip to leg gully to secure a fifth wicket for his brother.

James Keast was one of only three batsmen to reach double figures, finishing unbeaten on 27, as York’s spinners shared the last two wickets.

Pringle finished with 3-35 taking the final wicket with the score on 147, but the plaudits went to McKendry whose figures were his best return in a league match, and his best in York colours since 2011.