Harrogate continued their Yorkshire ECB League championship challenge with a crushing ten wicket win over Scarborough.

Vic Craven took 6-11 and Alex Lilley 4-27 as Scarborough were shot out for a paltry 43 before Alexis Twigg led Harrogate to victory with 25 not out.

However, Harrogate were thwarted by the weather on the second day of the double weekend, when their home match against Sheffield United was abandoned. Chasing Harrogate’s total of 136-4, the visitors had replied with 43-1 when the match was rained off.

York reduced the gap to four points after two wins – one worth eight points, the other six points. They kept up the pressure with a 113-run win at Castleford. Nick Kay (98) and Duncan Snell (56) helped York reach 228-9 before they bowled out Castleford for 115. Domonic Sharp was top scorer for Castleford with 42.

The following day York had to settle for six points in their match against Rotherham. Snell was in even better form, hitting 17 fours in his 140 while Oliver Hairs made 70 in York’s total of 293-3. However, Rotherham denied them maximum points as they replied with 228-7 with Stuart Guy (90) and his brother, former Yorkshire wicket keeper Simon (47) their top scorers.

Simon Guy had also been in fine form the day before as Rotherham gained a six point win against Sheffield Collegiate. He made 88 not out and Archie Ogden 37 as Rotherham totalled 189-8. Nick Gaywood made 34 and Alex Patmore 31 as Colegiate replied with 158-9, 31 runs short.

Hull enjoyed a successful weekend, gaining a surprise six wicket win over Yorkshire Academy before beating Castleford by 153-runs. Spinner Ben Watkin took 5-50 to help to restrict the Academy to 185, of which Jack Leaning made 68. Tim Appleyard with 63 and Dave Barrick 58 then led Hull to victory.

The following day Hull posted a massive 332-2 with Peter Shally hitting 201 not out, including 20 fours and seven sixes. Shally put on 260 with Tom Dimaline, who made 100 not out. Hull’s score was beyond Castleford who were bowled out for 179 with Watkin taking 5-89 and Barrick 5-52. Sharp was again Castleford’s top scorer, making 72.

Cleethorpes gained a surprise 36-run win over Barnsley on the first day of the double weekend with 17-year-old Harry Clewett producing a superb all-round performance. He top scored with 81 as Cleethorpes recovered from from losing their first three wickets for three runs to reach 227-9. He then took 7-47 as Barnsley were bowled out for 191. Charlie Tomlinson was also in good form for Cleethorpes, making 76.

Cleethorpes also won on the second day of the weekend, beating Doncaster by four wickets with Rory Underwood top scoring with 68 as they passed Doncaster’s total of 177.

Tom Manning scored 86 not out in Appleby Frodingham’s 53-run win over Sheffield United on the first day of the weekend. He helped Frodingham to reach 206. United were well placed at 124-3, but collapsed to 153.