York achieve hat-trick of titles

Nick Kay has featured in four York title-winning sides

York have won the Yorkshire Premier League for the third year in a row after beating title rivals Yorkshire Academy by seven wickets.

Duncan Snell made 79 not out and reached 1,000 runs for the season as York overhauled Academy's 158-9.

York secretary and all-rounder Nick Kay told BBC York: "Three (titles) in a row is tremendous, the lads are delighted.

"We've put a run together of 15 wins out of the last 18 games. We showed we're deserved champions this year."

Tom Bartram took 3-50 as the Academy made their 158-9 in a rain-reduced game of 38 overs per side.

"He came back to us from London about eight or 10 weeks ago and it's the best thing that has happened to the team," said Kay.

"You can count on one hand the amount of bad balls he's bowled."

In reply Snell carried his bat to ensure York reached 161-3 with 15 balls to spare.

York led Academy by three points at the start of the day, so the six points they achieved for victory in the shortened game put them out of range with only one game to play.

Scarborough are challenging the Academy for second spot after taking the full eight points from Doncaster at North Marine Road.

Scarborough posted 215, with Ashley Lyth scoring 79 and Darren Harland 58. In reply Lyth took 4-26 as Doncaster were dismissed for 181, to go down by 34 runs.

Harrogate eased their fears of finishing bottom with a sensational eight-point win at home to Cleethorpes.

Harrogate were skittled out for only 64, with Andy Ellis taking 5-28. Extras top-scored with 20, which proved decisive.

Astonishingly, Cleethorpes were then routed for 62. Shazad Khan took 5-25 and Hanif Mohammed 4-16, but the extras totalled only three.