AN emphatic eight-wicket win over chief title rivals Rotherham Town saw York Cricket Club strengthen their position at the head of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League.

The league’s top two went head-to-head at Rotherham’s Clifton Lane ground, and it did not take long for the visitors’ bowlers to get on top.

Home skipper James Moorhouse may well have regretted his decision to bat first on a green wicket when, in the third over, he sent a return catch to spinner Dan Woods (4-56).

Paceman Jake Murphy (3-32) was rewarded for his patience and accuracy when Stuart Guy chipped a catch to mid-off. Two overs later Murphy deceived Gerhardus Rudolph, knocking back the overseas star’s off stump with the score at 22-3.

’Keeper Nigel Durham took a fine catch standing up to seamer Liam McKendry and when the gloveman effected a stumping to dismiss county player Ben Sanderson off the bowling of Wood half the side had been sent back for only 45 runs.

Gareth Purshouse (55) and Gurman Randhawa (27) then dug in, putting on 50 runs, until as both batsmen threatened to cut loose Randhawa chipped a catch back to the bowler, giving Woods his third wicket.

Murphy took a much more difficult chance offered by Jonathan Plater, twisting back in his follow through to grab a low catch one-handed to make it 120-7.

Woods made it eight down when a perfect delivery pitched and turned to beat the bat of Purshouse and find his off stump.

Tom Pringle returned to the attack following an unsuccessful first spell and picked up a wicket in his first over, and then wrapped up the innings for 156 in his second.

In stark contrast to what had gone before openers Liam McKendry (53no) and Duncan Snell (69) punished some wayward spin bowling.

Sanderson bowled with aggression, but York capitalised at the other end, with 93 runs in their opening stand of 113 in 16 overs coming from the eight overs of spin.

Snell was the first to reach his half-century courtesy of a straight six, his second in an over from Randhawa which went for 20 runs.

The left-hander’s 47-ball innings was ended when he was bowled by Oliver Jackson, his final boundary count ten fours and three sixes.

Oliver Hairs was unlucky to be caught behind down the legside, bringing Alex Collins (26no) to the crease. His quick-fire innings including six fours and took York to the brink.

McKendry’s seventh four brought him a half-century – and the scores level – before victory came courtesy of a wide delivery in the 23rd over.

Champions York now lead the table by 12 points at the half way stage of the campaign, although Rotherham have a game in hand.

Jolly good Fellows

FORMER Yorkshire all-rounder Gary Fellows single-handedly dumped York Cricket Club out of the Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy.

Fellows smashed an unbeaten 142 to lead Wrenthorpe to a seven-wicket victory in the semi-final at Clifton Park.

• Don’t miss The Press tomorrow for a full report on the trophy tie.