LEADERS York need 24 points from their final five games of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League campaign to clinch a seventh successive title.

York and Driffield Town shared the points as their match at Clifton Park was abandoned due to persistent rain on Saturday, while Yorkshire Academy closed the gap at the top to 17 points with a six-point win over Hull.

A heavy shower half way through the home side’s innings forced an early tea and York declared shortly afterwards on 266-5 from 45.2 overs.

However, a prolonged period of rain meant only 2.1 overs of the Driffield innings were possible.

In-form opener Duncan Snell was caught behind off Ollie Ezard in the third over with the score on 16.

Liam McKendry’s first two scoring shots were boundaries as he got the eight runs needed to pass 3,000 career runs in the Yorkshire League.

However, he was out for 21 and, with the score on 87, Jack Leaning was dismissed for 30.

Alex Collins and Oliver Hairs then forged a partnership that put York in control. Hairs hit seven fours and two sixes to pass 50 from only 38 balls as they added 87 in 16 overs.

Hairs reached his century from 81 balls and went on to make 112, with a boundary count of 16 fours and two sixes. Collins (63no) reached his half-century from 74 balls.

That left York 90 minutes and a minimum of 20 overs in the last hour to try to force a win, only for the rain to return.