YORK'S visit to Appleby Frodingham produced their first ECB Yorkshire Premier League victory of the season.

But they owed their 64 runs success to the home groundsman who had worked hard to produce a pitch after a week's heavy rain.

Not surprisingly, the Steelers put York in to bat. Simon Mason began fluently with four boundaries before he left to a thin edge off Mohammed Ali.

Steve Piercy and John McGrady ground out a partnership but the middle order fell part.

Unlike last week against Barnsley, the tail showed resilience with Duncan Snell, Greg How and Nigel Durham making useful contributions and a total of 153, assisted by 34 extras, seemed at least par on a bowler-helpful track.

York were soon in the wickets with Rob Flack, in his opening over, inducing two snicks to wicketkeeper Durham.

This was followed up by rookie fast bowler Carroll claiming his first Yorkshire League wickets with three victims in consecutive overs.

Phil Taylor held firm until Greg How entered the attack whereupon he was caught by Marcus Wood.

How went on to take four more wickets to blow the tail away and finish with 5-21.

The match was also remarkable as Flack was adjudged run out when standing in his crease, which, in fact, was on a shorter pitch prepared for a junior fixture.

Richard Parker smashed an unbeaten 126 from 171 balls as Harrogate beat Rotherham by 100 runs.

He was well supported by Ryan Bradshaw 47 and fromer York player Alexis Twigg 33 as Harrogate amassed 298-6.

Rotherham were never in contention with Chris Kippax taking 4-83 and Dave Pennett 3-51.

Barnsley, who tied with York last week, beat Scarborough by 21 runs, Matin Ivill taking 5-24 in 19 overs, six of which were maidens. The Seasiders have lost both their opening two games.

Updated: 11:28 Monday, May 03, 2004