YORK ground out a fourth straight victory in the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League away to second-placed Rotherham Town.

The visitors successfully chased down a competitive target of 234-8, with the top seven in the batting line up all contributing to a four-wicket win.

Despite its green appearance, the pitch offered little assistance to either sides’ bowlers and the home team’s decision to bat first proved justified as they made a steady if unspectacular start, with 75 runs coming from the first 22 overs.

The breakthrough came when Chris Purshouse (28) failed to regain his ground, keeper Tom Brooks breaking the stumps following Alex Collins’ throw from point.

Despite the loss of his opening partner, Mark Cummins continued in determined fashion, reaching a half-century off 94 balls before being dismissed from his first real aggressive stroke, caught by Collins at mid-on off Ryan McKendry for 54.

McKendry was again in the action soon after twisting while airborne to take a spectacular catch over his shoulder on the edge of the square to give fellow spinner Tom Pringle (3-71) the first of three wickets as Gareth Purshouse departed for 17.

The same bowler took the prize wicket of the league’s leading run scorer, Australian Anthony Del Borrello (31).

Having been forced onto the back foot by the spinner’s accuracy he lost patience and hit a catch straight to his fellow countryman Adam Whatley at long on, leaving the total on 159-4 from 40 overs.

A partnership of 50 between Archie Ogden (46) and James Schofield (15) ended when the latter was caught by Liam McKendry at mid-wicket.

Ogden became the next batsman to go to a forcing shot when he found Collins at long on as Simon Lambert picked up his first wicket.

With the total on 219-6 and two new batsmen at the crease, the hosts were unable to make the most of the closing overs. Lambert (2-35) and McKendry (2-51) each enhanced their returns as the innings closed on 234-8.

Whatley got York’s reply off to an express start with six boundaries in the opening three overs, but the aggressive approach proved his downfall when he was caught at slip for 27 attempting to execute another expansive drive.

Liam McKendry looked by far the most at ease with the conditions and his 42 made from 44 balls contained some fine stroke play before he fell victim to diving catch by Del Borrello at extra cover with the total on 100.

The home side were given a lift when Lambert was out to an ill-advised reverse sweep having played patiently for 30, but any chance of a revival slowly disappeared as Collins (37) and Ryan McKendry (32) put on 66 for the fourth wicket.

Both departed in quick succession to the part-time spin of the hosts’ overseas signing and it was left to Tom Brooks (20) and Chris Booth (28no) to guide their side to within touching distance of victory before Brooks was out with seven still required.

Del Borrello finished with 3-42 as Booth struck the winning runs.