YORK’S leading young cricketers are on course to retain the Joe Lumb Under-17s trophy after starting the season with three wins from three games.

After opening the campaign with victories over North Yorkshire & South Durham at Clifton Alliance and the Aire Wharfe League at Stamford Bridge, they toppled the Bradford League by 104 runs at Stillington last week.

York batted first on an excellent wicket, with Andrew Simpson (62) and Oliver Sherwood (20) giving them a solid start.

Skipper Tom Collins then led from the front with a magnificent free-scoring 151.

At one stage, he added 161 in 18 overs with good support from Alan Partington, who scored 37, to lead York to a total of 321-8 from their 50 overs.

John Waterson made a fine 72 in reply but he lacked support and Bradford finished on 217-9.

The York bowlers were assisted again by some good fielding, with Jordan Grose taking 3-38 in 14 overs, and Collins completing a good personal game with 3-24 in 11 overs.

Against the Aire Wharfe in their previous fixture, Josh Cruise (3-32), and Simpson (4-62) restricted the visitors to 184-9 and Matthew Hattee struck 72 and skipper Collins hit 66 in a six-wicket win.

The next match for York is away to Heavy Woollen on Sunday, July 10.