DOWNPOURS drowned out the bulk of the Hunters the estate agent York and District Senior Cricket League programme, but York III's batsman Kevin Mendham was drenched in runs.

Opener Mendham was the batting star of the day as his blade dominated one of only two of the League's 42 games to beat the Saturday deluge.

His devastating batting enabled York to beat the rain and record a ten-wicket win over Selby II which lifted the Clifton Park side into second place in division five.

Selby's innings was initially swept aside in only 29 overs as Matt Hodsdon claimed 5-34 and Steve Beales 4-39. Only skipper Scott Smith made any impact with the bat, his 30 enabling his side to reach 107.

With the weather posing a severe threat York openers Mendham and Steve Jones set about their task with a vengeance.

Mendham was particularly severe on the visiting attack as he crashed his way to an unbeaten 77. With Jones making 33 not out, York reached their target in just nine overs to gain a march on all their rivals.

Elsewhere in division five, the weather probably denied Bolton Percy a victory over Huntington whose quest to match Bolton's 129-7 was in proverbial troubled waters at 69-6 when the proverb became reality after 25 overs.

Mike Furze hit a half-century in making 55 and John Lawrenson added 34 as Bolton batted first with Stuart Watson claiming 3-36.

Darren Willis replied with 26, but a fine spell of 5-56 by Martin Pears had Huntington staring at defeat before the heavens opened.

The only other game to beat the weather was in division three at Castleford, where their survival chances enjoyed a major boost after recording a six-wicket victory over Stillington.

The undoubted star of their triumph, which lifted them three places in the rankings, was Alex Romaniw.

His 6-39 was a major factor in Stillington's dismissal for 144 while his subsequent half century saw Castleford gain a rapid win.

Barry Milburn, with 41, was the principal Stillington batsman but his colleagues suffered against Romaniw and Neil Welburn, the latter playing his part to the full with a haul of 3-25.

After the tea break, Steve Sacks hit 53 and Romaniw 58 as Castleford won by six wickets in 28.4 overs.

Updated: 10:46 Monday, August 01, 2005