INSPIRATIONAL skipper Dan Woods followed up his historic ten-wicket haul with a first senior hat-trick as York beat Sheffield United in the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League.

Woods, who took 10-42 against Castleford the previous weekend, claimed 4-50 off 17 overs at Clifton Park on Saturday, although the leaders were denied maximum points by a dogged batting display from the visitors.

Sheffield United made 228-6 after winning the toss and York raced to their target in 36.2 overs for the loss of only two wickets, taking six points for the win.

There were few alarms for the hosts as Liam McKendry continued his outstanding run of form, adding an unbeaten 94 from only 66 balls to his previous two innings of 99 not out and 101.

Having called correctly, United skipper Paul Cummins opened the innings with younger brother Mark, and their obstinate approach to defence resulted in a war of attrition.

Things could have been different had Mark been caught at slip off the first ball he faced, but the opportunity was missed and the pattern was set.

For almost 40 overs, the pair accumulated what runs were on offer and when the occasional delivery turned it either missed the edge or the chance did not go to hand.

Paul was first to reach 50, from 78 balls, and when Mark reached the same milestone, off 115 balls, the total was 136-0 from 36 overs.

A further 15 was added before Alex Collins held an excellent catch, taking the ball over his shoulder still on the run at mid-off, to dismiss Paul for 82 off the bowling of Jack Leaning.

The rate of scoring accelerated thanks to South African Helgard Prinsloo (28 off 28 balls) and 67 runs were added for the second wicket before he was deceived in the flight by Woods, giving Nigel Durham a regulation stumping.

That was the first act of the late drama which saw five wickets fall for only two runs.

Mark had faced 173 balls to reach 99 but, with pressure mounting and the fielding side inching ever closer, the opener finally lost his nerve.

In attempting a single, which was at best risky, he was short of his ground thanks to a sharp throw from Collins and good work at the stumps by Ryan McKendry.

In the next over, Woods’ last and the penultimate of the innings, Andy Heron, Ben Percival and Dean Smith were all given out lbw, the York captain completing the first hat-trick of his senior career.

In reply, Duncan Snell (13) put on 60 with Leaning for the first wicket before losing his off-bail to Paul Cummins’ first delivery.

Leaning and McKendry then added 105 in 17 overs before the former edged behind when looking set for another century, this time falling 14 short.

Oliver Hairs, with 35 off 35 balls, then saw out the innings with McKendry, who finished agonisingly short of a much deserved century for the second match running.

Yesterday, York lost to Driffield in the semi-finals at the Yorkshire League t20 Finals Day in Scarborough. York were bowled out for 110 and went down by seven wickets.