YORK Cricket Club squandered a winning opportunity at Bawtry Road on Saturday when Sheffield United overcame them by seven runs.

It left York with just two Yorkshire League points to show for their efforts, when six had seemed comfortably within their grasp.

Having restricted United to 176-8 in their full 55 overs, York passed the century mark with just one wicket down. From there, they contrived to turn plain sailing into an inexplicable shipwreck, losing both momentum and control as they handed the lion's share of the points to surprised and happy South Yorkshire recipients.

Despite morning rain, the sterling efforts of the United ground staff ensured a prompt, but heavily overcast, start. Nigel Durham won the toss and put Sheffield in to bat. Martin Barlow and debutant Craig Wood furnished a 45 partnership before Nash Stone removed both in quick succession.

Of the remaining top order, only Pieter Swanepoel, with a carefully crafted half century, looked comfortable. Robert Flack and Greg How were in restrictive mood and Stephen Piercy earned reward for some tidy off spin. United were indebted to swashbuckling young wicketkeeper Andrew Hirst, whose rapid-fire 39 took Sheffield from underachievement to modest comfort.

York's innings started well. Simon Mason, back from injury, drove imperiously off front and back foot on his way to a welcome half century. Marcus Wood, a little out of sorts this season, promised much before heaving aimlessly at Tom Fletcher and lobbing to cover.

Mike Mortimer, Nick Kay, Dave Catlow and Robert Flack all struggled their way into the teens. But York were gradually losing the plot as left arm spinner Dave Burden wheeled a dozen stranglehold overs from the Tinsley end.

United held a trump card - Swanepoel's pace and accuracy - and they played it perfectly. Burden switched ends and helped Hirst to snaffle two catches and two stumpings. York left their final assault until too late. Twenty from two overs was a massive demand, but the match had been lost effectively when they failed to work harder for runs an hour earlier.

Harrogate came away from Abbeydale Park almost empty handed as Sheffield Collegiate's powerful batting array, led by Richard Kettleborough (55), Steve Clarke (67) and Ed McKenna (69no), piled up 242-6. Alexis Twigg (41) and Peter Hepworth (58) put together a substantial second wicket stand.

But Harrogate, unable to match the required rate, undone by the pace of Richard Pineo and Mark Boocock's wily leggers, battled to avoid defeat and finished on 189-8.

Scarborough's game at Castleford was called off without a ball being bowled and league leaders Doncaster were thwarted by afternoon rain at Cleethorpes.

Driffield suffered their fifth defeat in a row at the hands of Yorkshire Academy and Appleby Frodingham also remain pointless following a home reverse against Rotherham Town.

Barnsley's early season bubble was burst at Hull.

York's Stephen Piercy hit a majestic, unbeaten 80 yesterday, sharing an unbroken third wicket partnership with Doncaster all-rounder Andrew Parkin-Coates as the Yorkshire League beat the Wetherby League by eight wickets in the first round of the White Rose Trophy at Doncaster.

York leg-spinner Tom Pringle grabbed 3-22 as the Wetherby League were restricted to 158-9 in 50 overs. The Yorkshire League suffered two early losses, but reached their target with 18 overs to spare.

The Yorkshire League are drawn at home to the Central Yorkshire League in the quarter finals on June 16, a match likely to be staged at Clifton Park.

Appleby Frodingham gained swift revenge for their league defeat by overhauling Rotherham in a high-scoring League Cup encounter at Brumby Hall. Simon Guy (94no) led Rotherham to 200-6, but Harvey Anderson (95no) and Matt Cairns (64no) saw Frodingham home with just two wickets down.

Updated: 11:42 Monday, May 20, 2002