THE Hunters York and District Senior Cricket League had a comfortable first round victory over the Nidderdale League as they began their quest to retain the Yorkshire Inter-League Knock-Out Trophy, writes Albert Pattison.

York skipper Richard Sykes won the toss, elected to bat and saw his opening combination of Andrew Kay (York) and Dunnington's Hamid Khan race to 57 before the former was bowled by Matt Uffindall for 27.

Khan was then joined by Acomb's Andy Tute and the pair added 100 in 22 overs and with eight overs remaining stood at 168-1.

Khan then cut loose as he savaged the attack and the final seven overs produced 69 runs. Tute fell in the final over when he was bowled by Dion Wood for 54 but Khan remained unbeaten after hitting a splendid 139 not out which included four sixes and fourteen fours and York finished on 243-2.

Nidderdale started in disastrous fashion as pacemen Richard Medforth (Hornsea) and Whitkirk's Oral Blackford reduced them to 34-4 inside nine overs. Chris Beaumont (32) and Will Wray (28) restored the home side's fortunes as they added 55 runs but Beaumont was then caught by Tute off Khan for 32.

His partner soon followed when, having made 28, he was deceived by spinner Matt Yates (Malton) and was stumped by Richard Sykes. Later resistance came from Tom Armstrong (23) but Khan took 3-32 then Blackford returned to clear up the tail to finish with 4-41 on his first appearance for the York League XI.

The York League will be at home to the winners of the East Yorkshire Alliance v Dales Council game in the second round.

Updated: 11:23 Wednesday, June 16, 2004