A record fifth crown for York Cricket Club (From York Press)

A record fifth crown for York Cricket Club

9:50am Monday 5th September 2011 in Yorkshire League By Kevin Hutchinson

RECORD-BREAKING York Cricket Club are celebrating their fifth successive Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League title.

Captain Marcus Wood’s team retained their crown for an unprecedented fifth year with a six-wicket victory over nearest rivals Rotherham Town at Clifton Park.

Leading run-scorer Duncan Snell hit a majestic 87 not out and it was fitting that the championship- clinching runs came from his bat.

A straight driven four sparked jubilant celebrations among the home team’s players and spectators after a tense encounter.

Visiting skipper James Moorehouse won the toss and chose to bat first, but it was York all-rounder Nick Kay (2-26) who took the early initiative.

The seam bowler had Moorehouse caught at mid-off and ’keeper Nigel Durham, standing up to the stumps, then held on to a faint edge from Gerhardus Rudolph to make the score 23-2.

Gareth Pursehouse (35) and Gurman Randhawa (25) combined for the highest partnership of the innings, adding 44 for the third wicket.

The pair were separated when spinner Tom Pringle (5-55) held a return catch from Pursehouse.

Only one further run had been scored when Jordan Lowe pushed forward to Dan Woods (3-69) and the ball ballooned off bat and pad for Durham to take the catch in front of the wicket.

Randhawa, dropped on nought and ten, was fifth out with the score on 88, a loose drive at Pringle picking out Liam McKendry at mid-wicket.

Nathan Smith hit Woods over square-leg for six to bring up the 100, but was lbw to the same bowler two deliveries later.

The first ball after the drinks break gave Pringle his third wicket, Ben Sanderson sweeping the ball into the hands of Oliver Hairs at short backward square leg.

Durham picked up his third victim, taking a sharp stumping chance to dismiss William Cooper off Woods. When Pringle clung on one-handed to Chris Pursehouse’s low return drive the visitors were reduced to 125-9. Oliver Jackson (13) and Chris Page (23no) added 31 for the final wicket before Jackson was was bowled by Pringle.

Rotherham looked to have made the perfect start when Sanderson found the edge of Snell’s bat with the second ball of the innings, but Rudolph made a costly drop at slip.

Liam McKendry (0), Oliver Hairs (17) and Alex Collins (13) were back in the hutch with total on 75.

Kay was dismissed for seven but then Snell, whose 50 came off 84 deliveries, and Ryan McKendry (19no) saw their side home.

The Clifton Parkers round off the season with a trip to Cleethorpes on Saturday.