A century by Oliver Hairs paved the way to victory for leaders York Cricket Club against Barnsley in the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League.

The win in the rain-hit 47-overs a side clash stretched the Clifton Park club’s lead to 11 points over rivals Rotherham, who were unable to force a complete win against Sheffield Collegiate.

York skipper Marcus Wood chose to bat first, and openers Duncan Snell (45) and Liam McKendry (20) profited from some good fortune to put on 71.

McKendry was first out, caught and bowled by spinner Richard Wilkinson. Snell departed three overs later when Yorkshire paceman Oliver Hannon-Dalby (6-81) found the outside edge and ’keeper Luke Bullingham pouched the catch.

Hairs (103), batting at number three, unfurled some flamboyant stroke play en route to a 126-run partnership with Alex Collins (52).

It took only 24 balls for Hairs to move from 50 to three figures and his final tally included eight fours and eight sixes. When the total reached 206, Hairs sent the ball high in the air and was caught.

Collins’ knock took 67 balls and contained only three boundaries.

Hannon-Dalby and Henri Londt (2-85) cut through the visitors’ middle order, with Hannon-Dalby picking up four of his six victims in a period which saw five wickets fall in as many overs.

Despite the seamer’s efforts, the innings closed on 269-9.

Barnsley’s reply was led Matthew Wilson (30) and ex-Yorkshire batsman Simon Widdup (19) before Liam McKendry knocked back Widdup’s off stump.

Steven Nuttall (20) was the first of six wickets for leg spinner Tom Pringle (6-42), stumped by ’keeper Nigel Durham, the first of his six victims. The spinner’s next over saw Wilson lose patience and fall to the same combination.

The hosts subsided to 116-5 in the 30th over and only James Stuart (37) threatened to get the chase back on track until he succumbed to the off-spin of Dan Woods.

Spinner Ryan McKendry took 2-8, including his first league wicket, as Barnsley were all out for 138, sealing a 131-run win.