THE cricket gods are evidently scripwriters as they have set up a last match of the season contest for the Yorkshire ECB League champions title with York's visit to Sheffield Collegiate's Abbeydale Park ground tomorrow.

York are five points adrift of leaders Collegiate so have a tough task with only eight points available.

Both captains will be keener than usual to win the toss. If Sheffield call correctly they will almost certainly ask York to bat as they can earn one point by scoring 70 per cent of York's total and keeping at least one wicket intact to ensure a drawn game.

This will be enough to make the league a tie and Collegiate will take the title because of their superior number of outright wins.

On the other hand, York skipper Marcus Wood will want to ask his opponents to bat first to deny them the opportunity of batting for a point and force them to take risks to post a good total to put the pressure back on York.

If the weather permits, an intriguing contest is in prospect but time lost will be a hindrance to York's drive for victory.

York's weekend endeavours will not be limited to Saturday as the following day they host the Yorkshire Academy in the semi-final of the League Cup (noon start). The final is scheduled for the following Sunday.

Their last meeting was an overwhelming nine-wicket victory for the Headingley outfit. This was fashioned by Tim Bresnan and Joe Sayers but they are in the Yorkshire squad in the current County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton.

The Academy have won the cup twice in the last three years so a keen contest is expected.

Meanwhile, another chapter in the War of the Roses takes place on Sunday when Yorkshire Terriers take on Lancashire in the disabled cricket County championship final.

Cricketers from across the region will be hoping to carry their strong form into the showcase finale at Headingley with a win against their traditional rivals.

The mixed team is made up of players with varying disabilities with regular cricket rules adapted slightly to allow for a softer ball. The Terriers train every fortnight at Headingley Cricket School, and they play their home matches at York University.

Sunday's 40-over final gets under way at 11.30am. Entry is free through the St Michael's Lane gates.

To find out more about joining or getting involved, call team manager James Rossdale on 01759 372758.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, September 10, 2004