York bounced back after suffering their first defeat in nine games in the Yorkshire ECB County Premier League against Hull last week with a six wicket win worth six points at Cleethorpes on Saturday.

Under the Duckworth/Herbert rules the win would have been eight points, leaving York still in fifth place.

Despite the win, York skipper Nigel Durham still will not be satisfied until his side have overtaken Doncaster Town for third place in the remaining two games.

Durham won the toss and put Cleethorpes into bat, a decision that was to cause some concern.

Mike Smith and Willie Abe put on 70 for the first wicket before Smith (28) was at last dismissed off Australian import Nash Stone's bowling from a catch by skipper and wicket-keeper Durham.

Abe (44) went at 102 from a catch by Stephen Piercy off Rob Lancaster before more Cleethorpes batsmen began the treck back to the pavilion until their score reached 195-9 at the end of 50 overs with the help of 70 runs from Pakistani batsman Shadab Kabir.

As the game was unable to start before 12.15pm because of the weather, it was reduced to 50 overs a side.

Stone's 5-80 return took his total tally to 73 at an average of 13.3, Lancaster's 3-70 in 22 overs giving him a total of 29 at an average of 25.

York put on 29 before their opening bat, Marcus Wood, was caught in the slips off Jonathan Davies, who clean bowled Piercy (15) 12 runs later with a pearler.

At 55-2 Nick Kay was also clean bowled by Peter Thompson as Simon Mason and Stone began the task of stabilising York's innings with a century stand in 55 minutes that was ended by Davies bowling Stone, his 59 taking his total for the season to within striking distance of 500 runs.

Mason reached 60 not out with Ben Quick (23no), York reaching their target in 42.3 overs for the loss of four wickets.

In an incredible fight to the finish, Sheffield United regained the lead over Harrogate.

Title contenders Doncaster Town suffered a shock after Peter Ellis had taken eight Yorkshire Academy wickets for 56 in 18 overs before ending up on the losing side in a game that produced a cliff hanger finish.

The Academy's last men, Garry Ramsden (48) and Gareth Davies (21no) came together, at 101-9 to score 75 in a stubborn last wicket stand as the Academy finally reached 176 all out in 49.1 overs in a game reduced to 50 a side because of the weather.

The stand was to produce a shock win over the defending champions as Doncaster Town ended up at 175-6, one run behind the Academy's total and just two runs short of victory.

Over at Abbeydale Park, John Hespe was taking 7-25 against Barnsley as his haul helped Sheffield Collegiate to victory.

NCA National Club Knockout finalist off-spinner Hespe tuned up for the visit to York for the Yorkshire League Cup semi-final with a blistering 12.3 overs spell that produced a brilliant return of seven Barnsley wickets for 23, half his overs being maidens.

Barnsley were bowled out for 97 in 48.3 overs.

Harrogate and Sheffield United are involved in a neck and neck race for the finishing line with Gate on 120 points from 24 games, one behind United who have just one more game to go at York next week.

Harrogate beat Driffield (136-6) by seven wickets in a game reduced to 36 overs as their rivals United regained the lead their five wickets overhaul of Hull's total of 111 all out in 53.2 overs.

Dave Pennett took four Driffield wickets for 31 laying the foundation to lead Harrogate to a seven wicket victory in 28 overs.

However, as Driffield had not been bowled out, the win was only worth 6pts to Harrogate, which cost them top place in the league.

Castleford's home game against Scarborough was abandoned without a bat being put to ball because of rain.