YORK suffered two heavy defeats in the Yorkshire ECB County Premier League and the League's own Knock-Out Cup at the weekend, failing to find the form that helped them produce their shock win over Cleethorpes the week previously.

They evened up their playing record in the League on Saturday when they went down to Doncaster - their sixth defeat of the season from twelve games played.

And on Sunday they completed a miserable weekend, losing by seven wickets to Hull in the Knockout Cup.

Once again, needless run outs proved costly to York's hopes of putting up a better performance on Saturday after Doncaster had batted first for 262-5.

Their opening pair, Yorkshire Colt Simon Widdup and the League's White Rose captain, Warren Graca, put on 130 for the first wicket to give Town a firm basis for a big score.

Widdup ended up with 107 runs to his credit that included three sixes and ten fours, Graca being stopped just three runs short of a half century.

It is almost two years since York visited Town Fields after both games between the two clubs were washed out last summer, but Rob Lancaster took four Doncaster wickets at their last outing and, of course, Greg How's bowling was badly missed now that he has left the area.

But no excuse can be found for three run outs that ended promising innings from Nash Stone, who had scored 41, Nick Kay on 47 and Ben Quick, who was run out for 2.

Marcus Wood also fell for a duck and York's writing was on the wall for not getting on terms with Doncaster's big score.

York ended up at 197-8, sixty-six runs short of their target.

Against Hull on Sunday York were put into bat first but only three of their batsmen were able to reach double figures as they plunged to 100 all out in 44 overs.

Right arm pace bowler Tony Days did the damage for Hull taking 4-24 in his allotted ten overs while left arm spinner Dave Barrick and Amit Dani took two wickets apiece.

Hull lost their first wicket off the first ball of York's response when Will Kirby fell to a catch behind by wicket keeper Nigel Durham from the bowling of Nash Stone.

However, York's hopes of an against the odds victory soon wilted as Andy Simpson and Dani put on 21 and 62no respectively as Hull reached their winning target for the loss of only three wickets in 22.2 overs.

In stark contrast to York, Harrogate enjoyed success at the double.

In the League, Harrogate produced their second successive win following their eight wicket victory over Hull last week with a four wicket win over their Yorkshire Academy visitors on Saturday.

The Academy batted first for 203-7 with Tabassum Bhatti top scoring with a half century before he was run out and Joe Sayers, the former England Under-17 Tour captain, close behind with 47.

Gary Ramsden, Tim Bresnan and Dan Broadbent battled hard to take two Harrogate wickets apiece, but 'Gate reached their target for the loss of six wickets in 53 overs with M Cousen scoring 83no after John Inglis had opened with 41.

On Sunday, Inglis was again on top form as his quick-fire half-century steered Harrogate to victory over Methley in the area final of the ECB National Club Championship.

They now meet Bramhall of Cheshire at Harrogate on July 15 in the Inter Zonal final.

Steady bowling from Dave Pennett and Steve Jenson kept Methley pegged down and only Jonathan Smith, with a well-constructed 91, managed to get on top of the Harrogate attack.

Set 184 for victory, Harrogate were always ahead of the clock and romped home with ten overs to spare as Peter Hepworth also managed a half-century.

South Riding League Club Wickersley also reached the last 16 with a comfortable win over Sandiacre.

They are now away to either Chorley or Blackpool in the next stage.

Back in the League on Saturday, Scarborough let Sheffield United off the hook after United had been 98-6 before finishing with 184-6 at North Marine Road.

'Boro suffered the consequences as they limped to 166-9, Darren Harland the only batsmen to trouble the scorers with with 45.

Boro's 'new' opening bowler, Chris Clifford, took three United wickets for 67 bowling right through with his off-spinners and Rob Barlow took 3-83 from his 20 overs.