LEAGUE leaders York enjoyed a convincing seven-wicket home win over Castleford, but Tucker's luck conspired to deny them a maximum haul.

The Clifton Parkers found Steve Tucker an obdurate barrier and failed to secure the extra two bonus points for bowling the opposition out.

Cas captain Andrew Bourke chose to bat first and set off at a great pace despite the loss of John Sykes, who was castled by a Nick Thornicroft thunderbolt.

The introduction of off-spinner Dan Broadbent completely changed the innings. He strangled the West Riding batters, claiming six wickets in a marathon 21-over spell, conceding a miserly 17 runs.

Thornicroft returned to mop up a brace of tail-enders, but the 71-minute defiance by Tucker enabled Castleford to avoid complete destruction.

York were soon in trouble losing two wickets to the first three balls of the reply. But Michael Sheedy and Nick Kay repaired the damage with a stand of 77 in 66 minutes before Kay was caught at backward point off a sloppy shot.

Sheedy batted on to strike eight boundaries in his undefeated 68.

Castleford: Sykes b Thornicroft 2, Bourke c Snell b Broadbent 45, Dudham lbw b Broadbent 13, Randerson c Sheedy b Broadbent 0, Parker c Kay b Broadbent 0, Young c Mason b Broadbent 12, Tucker not out 24, Slater c Wood b Thornicroft 6, Romanio b Broadbent 6, Hodson c Durham b Thornicroft 11, Shackleton not out 2, extras 10, total 131-9. Bowling: Thornicroft 19-4-63-3, Flack 15-3-45-0, Broadbent 21-11-17-6.

York: Sheedy not out 68, Broadbent lbw b Hodson 0, Mason b Hodson 0, Kay c Randerson b Dudham 36, Snell not out 16, extras 12, total 132-3. Bowling: Hodson 6-1-13-2, Young 5-1-30-0, Dudham 10-2-30-1, Randerson 3-0-13-0, Bourke 5-0-19-0, Romanio 2-0-18-0.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, May 30, 2005