YORK CC have stormed back into the Oxbridge Yorkshire ECB Premier League title race without bowling a ball.

The Clifton Park-based side looked to have suffered at the cruel hand of fate after defeat against rivals Sheffield Collegiate and the cry off of Hull had left them pointless from the weekend.

However, the Yorkshire League committee ruled on Tuesday night that York, who had started the weekend in pole position, should receive the maximum eight points for Hull's inability to fulfil Sunday's fixture.

Confusion had reigned after Hull had contacted York chairman Chris Houseman on the Sunday to say that they would not be able to field a side because of work commitments and illness.

However, as the League had never previously faced a situation where a game has not been fulfilled, there were no guidelines in the rules to cover the event.

This meant York were left in limbo waiting to hear whether or not they would be awarded points and if so how many or asked to replay the fixture at another date.

Updated: 11:32 Thursday, July 24, 2003