THE Hunters York Senior League Joe Lumb XI continued their good form, defeating the Bradford League by 14 runs, at Undercliffe.

Captain Stephen Sacks gave York a good start with a stylish 34. Michael Linsley held the innings together scoring 29, while wickets fell around him.

Alex Renton with two huge sixes, one going out of the ground, helped post a total of 148.

It proved a good total on a helpful wicket with Bradford spinners Ben Heritage taking 5-46, and James Finch 5-55.

When Bradford replied they were reduced to 49-4 by a fine spell of swing bowling from Shaun Speck who took 3-16.

A stand of 59 by Faraq Hussain (38) and Qasim Akbar (24) threatened the York total, but good work by spinners Andrew Bilton (3- 24), Josh Rewcroft (2-16) and Alex Renton (1-10) left the home side 14 runs short on 134.

A win on Sunday against Pontefract in the final league game at Thirsk will give York a good chance of appearing in the play-offs.

York Lord's Taveners' Under-11s face Bradford in the semi-final of the Yorkshire competition on Sunday at Idle, in Bradford.

Chris Burn is a late addition to the first XI after Matthew Prosser announced unavailability.

The York side is: Jack Leaming (capt, Heworth), Andrew Simpson (wkt, Heworth), Charlie Elliott (York), Tom Collins (Hemingbrough), Oliver Sherwood (Woodhouse Grange), Harry Preston (Bramcote School), Scott Shepherd (Woodhouse Grange), Chris Burn (York), Tim Hitchener (Dunnington), Josh Britland (Stamford Bridge), Ryan Waite (York). 12th man: Ben Simpson (York).

Updated: 10:43 Friday, July 22, 2005