YORK'S visit to Castleford's Savile Park home earned them a comfortable 101 run victory to redeem their defeat there at the end of last season and to demonstrate that their form of the previous week against Doncaster was not a true reflection of their abilities.

Batting first they survived the early loss of Steve Piercy thanks to a 124-run stand between Simon Mason and Nick Kay. Both were in fluent form and each struck 12 fours with Mason striking a six for good measure. York lost wickets in the chase for a large total and only Will Warne, with a breezy knock, reached double figures. Yorkshire Academy-registered Dan Wainwright was Castleford's most successful bowler with his tidy left arm slows.

York claimed two early victims but were possibly fortunate to dismiss the prolific Andrew Bourke when he appeared to nick a ball when adjudged leg before wicket.

Visions of last year's traumatic defeat flooded back when Castleford struck back with a 79-run stand between Jamie Sykes and John Randerson, but the introduction of Riley O'Neill ripped the middle out of Cas's reply to earn him his first five wicket haul for the club. A brilliant throw from Will Warne ran out Sykes. Dan Broadbent showed improved form to claim two victims and York were home with eight overs to spare.

High-scoring Harrogate knocked Sheffield United for 313-4 but were forced to take a winning draw as Sheffield clung on for 217-8.

Big-hitter John Inglis led the way for the Harrogate attack with a punishing 156 including 19 fours and two sixes, while colleague Victor Craven mustered 93 for the cause.

Chris Kippax was Harrogate's bowling star as he took 4-79 but the hosts failed to find the extra two wickets needed for the win and took six points.

Updated: 11:42 Monday, May 17, 2004