YORK and Stamford Bridge both hope the Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North title is not decided by rain this weekend.

The pair go into the final day separated by just two points at the top of the table, with York slender leaders.

Both end their campaigns against mid-table opposition with Driffield visiting Clifton Park and Bridge travelling to Woodhouse Grange.

But, with the forecast unfavourable, neither wants an anti-climactic conclusion.

York welcome back Tom Friend for the Driffield contest and Sunday’s Black Sheep final against Bradford League champions Pudsey St Lawrence, with captain Dan Woods admitting: “You just hope all the sides get a full game and don’t want any matches getting washed out.”

A Stamford Bridge victory last weekend over previous leaders Yorkshire Academy, who wrap up their season against whipping boys Easingwold, has put York in the driving seat and Jones was also complimentary about their second-placed challengers, adding: “They’ve been very successful and they have some very talented players. They are a well-run club, who you know will always be a threat.”

Bridge also beat Harrogate in the League Cup final last Sunday by eight wickets with Ryan McKendry (100) and Will Rhodes (80) steering the team home with unbeaten knocks after Luke Robinson, Matty Beckett and Mac MacIver had taken a couple of wickets apiece.

Wicket-keeper Josh Cooper returns against Woodhouse Grange, but opening bowler Robinson is absent and will be missed, with captain Beckett adding: “We’re just trying to focus on what we can control and that’s getting a result, weather permitting, against Woodhouse Grange, who are a very good side with some outstanding cricketers themselves. The forecast isn’t great for today or tomorrow and it would be a shame if everything is decided by the weather and not on the pitch

“We’ve had two games rained off already this season, which hasn’t helped us, but that’s just the way it goes.”

Jones is not expecting a straightforward afternoon either, reasoning: “We’ve never had anything less than a hard game against Driffield, so we know what to expect.”