CHAMPIONS York missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League leaders Yorkshire Academy in a high-scoring defeat at Driffield Town.

The Clifton Parkers, chasing an eighth successive league title, racked up a mammoth 330-5 from their 55 overs, but Driffield clinched a three-wicket win with three balls to spare.

The Tykes youngsters also lost, Castleford picking up their first win of the season by five wickets. York, who have slipped to fourth, remain 19 points behind with two games in hand.

York won the toss and openers Simon Lambert and Dan Woods put on a rapid 43 before the former was out for 34.

Skipper Woods played second fiddle to Liam McKendry in a second-wicket stand of 79 before he was out for 35 and when Ryan McKendry's brief stay ended, York were 144-3.

The real fireworks started when Nick Kay and Liam McKendry came together, with Kay hitting 79 off 69 balls including seven fours and two sixes, while McKendry brought up his century off 106 balls with six fours and four sixes.

The pair put on 146 to lay the foundations for a huge total, with McKendry the last of the five men out for 140 off 123 balls, having hit seven fours and seven maximums.

However, McKendry's innings was trumped by Driffield's Sam Drury, who smashed an unbeaten 174 from only 133 balls, a knock which included 12 fours and ten sixes.

He was supported by Ali Asad, with 84 off 126 balls, as Driffield pulled off a remarkable win in the 55th over.

Tom Pringle took five wickets, but they came at a cost as his 13 overs went for 95 runs, while Woods took 3-89 from 13 overs and Ryan McKendry 2-56 from 9.3 overs.

Glen Richmond and Kay claimed a wicket apiece.

Yesterday's Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy tie at Cleckheaton was washed out.