CASTLEFORD remain in charge of the tile race in Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North - but had to work hard for their three-win over York at Clifton Park on Saturday.

The visitors benefitted from the inclusion of Alex Kaye, who was released to play by Yorkshire Academy as they remain unable to compete in the competition due to Covid restrictions.

Wicket-keeper-batter Kaye scored a half-century and put on 97 for the second wicket with Brayden Clark (46) to give their side a commanding start.

Simon Lambert picked up the wickets of both batters and Tom Forsdike took 3-35 but runs from David Wainwright (31) and Edward Cole (30) down the order helped the side reach 210-7.

Finlay Bean top scored for the home side making 72 but the hosts slipped from 170-4 to 177-9, Eddie Morrison taking 3-24 and David Wainwright 3-43.

Last-wicket pair Clarke Doughney (15 not out) and Tom Forsdike (13no) brought their side close putting on 30 but in the end just fell short.

This was the second close finish between the two with just one run separating them in the reverse fixture back in May, Castleford winning on that occasion too.

Scarborough went fourth with a convincing win over Stamford Bridge, a side they had lost to on the five previous occasions leading into the game at Low Catton Road.

Back-to-back half-centuries from captain Pat Roberts (60) and a 68-run stand for the seventh wicket alongside Joe Davies (56no) helped their side get to 203-8.

Bridge never really got going, James Wainman taking 3-34 and Ben Elvidge taking two wickets. The first of Elvidge’s wickets saw the spinner pass 150 in his YPLN career. James Keast (28) was one of only two batters to reach 20 as the hosts were dismissed for 117.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge recovered from 6-2 to beat Acomb by seven wickets, Mark Fisher (52no) and Dulash Udayanga (51) both making half-centuries and adding 76 for the third wicket in reply to the hosts’ 138-6 in a rain-affected game.

Fisher (2-21) also took two wickets while Ben Harrison (2-30) captured the key wicket of Joe Schofield, who top scored for the hosts with a patient 57 in difficult batting conditions.

A third straight defeat for the team from The Green has seen them drop from third to fifth while Bridge - who spent the early part of the season in and around the relegation places - have now climbed to the relative comfort of mid-table.

Samuel Grant (3-35) and David Friend (3-36) combined to condemn Dunnington to a fourth straight defeat as they were bowled out for 129 in a 57-run home loss to Clifton Alliance. That was despite the efforts of Luke Kilby (76).

Earlier in the day, Craig Nicoll finished 40 not out for the visitors in an innings which saw most of the top order reach 20 without going on to make a more telling contribution, with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Consecutive victories mean Alliance will spend only their third week outside the relegation places since the start of the campaign.

A second century of the campaign from Henry Thompson (130) inspired Harrogate to only their second win of the season, forcing opponents Driffield Town to the bottom of the table with a 73-run home win.

Continuing restrictions around the county side meant the battle of the teams occupying second and third place in the table, Yorkshire Academy and Woodhouse Grange, was unable to take place.