REDISCOVERING their killer instinct is paramount for York Cricket Club’s ambition of regaining their Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League crown, believes captain Nick Kay.

The Clifton Parkers host Rotherham Town tomorrow before defending champions Yorkshire Academy come to Shipton Road on Bank Holiday Monday and, after their opening day defeat to Barnsley, Kay believes two wins are vital.

In their spell of seven successive title winning campaigns, York were renowned for coming through tight battles.

However, they lost a close game to their South Yorkshire rivals as they began their title hunt and the skipper believes his side must come through those situations if they are to have a chance to getting back to the summit.

“It is something we absolutely have to get back to,” he said. “We built a reputation on winning games in tight situations and having someone get us over the line.

“Maybe a little bit last season we just fell short on one or two occasions. We have no option but to bounce back. We have got to get a win on the board tomorrow.

“We have to put pressure on the opposition, which we didn’t do against Barnsley.”

On Rotherham, Kay said: “They are a good side. They are determined and they love to beat York.

“It is always a fiercely contested match and we will have to be on our mark.”

The Academy beat York on every occasion on their way to the title last year, but Kay said: “It is time to put a marker in the sand and say we are ready to compete with the Academy again.

“We were always going to have to give up the title at some stage and we did that to a team who were better than us last year.

“We are one year older and the Academy have lost one or two who have stepped up into league cricket.

“We know how strong cricket is in Yorkshire and they are still going to be the team to beat.

“If we finish above them, I think we will win the title.”

Ryan McKendry will likely miss Monday’s game because he is representing the Leeds University UCCE side, while Richard Love is absent against Rotherham.

Kieron Mcadam comes in before making way for Love against the Academy.