HOSTS York were dispatched by 32 runs in the Joe Lumb Competition Under-17s' clash against their Sheffield counterparts.

Having won the toss York decided to field first and give Sheffield the opportunity to bat.

The visitors relished the challenge and set about building a big score with openers Longhurst and Ellis putting on 122 for the first wicket before Longhurst was out for 76 caught by Mike Noble (Dunnington) off the bowling of Philip Aconley (Hovingham). Longhurst's 50 came up in 67 minutes off 61 deliveries.

Another nine runs were added before Danny Snowball had Ellis caught and bowled for 42. With the score still on 131 George Rounthwaite took a good stumping to dismiss Hibbert off the bowling of Aconley. The fourth wicket brought Aconley his third victim when he had Connolly caught and bowled for four.

A mid-order revival helped Sheffield before B Smith was caught by John Cook (Thirsk) off the bowling of Aconley for 35.

D Radcliffe 35 was then bowled by Guy Darwin as the sixth wicket fell with the Sheffield score on 215. Sheffield then could only muster another 13 runs with Noble brought back into the attack and claiming three wickets. Sheffield finished their 50 overs on 228 for 9 wickets.

York started their reply cautiously with openers Nathan Briggs (Clifton Alliance) and Leon Sacks (Acomb) adding only six runs before Sacks was bowled for a duck.

Edward Donkin (Pocklington) soon followed Sacks back to the pavilion, also for 0 and the score now 6-2.

Darwin then joined Briggs at the wicket where they made a useful 50-partnership for the third wicket before Darwin was out to a good catch going for a big hit at backward square leg off the bowling of Ellis for 27.

Duncan Snell, whose four overs with the ball cost 31 runs, set about the Sheffield bowling to exact some revenge.

But he was soon out to a suicidal run when he had called for a single from the non striking end as the fielder had practically the ball in hand.

York's reply was teetering at 75-4. But Craig Pygott (Castleford) joined Briggs at the wicket and they put on a stand of 75 partnership before Pygott called another quick single which proved fatal as he was beaten by a fine throw from a fine throw from a Sheffield fielder.

Briggs proved the mainstay of the York's innings making his 50 off 100 balls in 139 minutes. But his resistance was finally ended in the 39th over when he hade made 57.

York needed 59 to win with two wickets remaining. John Cook (Thirsk) made a quick 14 before he was bowled by Longhurst to bring the York's innings to a close.

Sheffield 228 (N Longhurst 76, M Ellis 42, B Smith 35, D Radcliffe 35; M Noble 11-3-35-3; P Aconley 10-0-52-4) 50 ovs; York 196 (N Briggs 57, G Darwin 27, C Pygott 42; J Connolly 7-1-17-3) 45.2ovs.

Updated: 08:45 Tuesday, July 30, 2002