A dogged last-wicket stand between Collegiate's Pete Turnbull and Matt Dixon robbed York of maximum points,whilst Castleford took the full eight by beating United by 79 runs. This leaves the top two tied on 121 points with two games left.

York got off to a steady start with Duncan Snell and Dan Wilson putting on 90 before being parted which soon became 93 for 3. Wilson, leading scorer with 1,296 average 77, was bowled by Nadeem for 51and Snell fell to Dixon for 46.

Simon Mason then took on the anchor role as he shared a partnership of 103 with Nick Kay. Mason was eventually dismissed for 43, but Kay raced to 77 from 59 balls, including nine fours and four sixes before he was bowled by Turnbull

Nadeem, the league's leading wicket-taker took his tally to 63 as he returned 5 for 60 from 21 overs, but despite his efforts York rattled up 277 for 8.

Collegiate soon lost Bill Root for 8 but they recovered and at one stage reached 130 for 3. A familiar collapse then ensued and the score became 152 for 9.

Thanks to a dogged last-wicket stand which saw Turnbull on 22no and Dixon 5 no Collegiate managed to hold on at 170 for 9.

Sheffield United looked to be in control at Saville Park when they took the first three wickets for 32 with Adam Wilson having the dangerous Dave Murphy caught by Jamie Harrison for 3.

David Wainwright then took centre stage as the young Yorkshire all-rounder hit a cultured 63 and with Shaun La Roux smashing 39 they took the score along to 206 for 8.

Wilson bowled very tidily to take 4 for 48 from 15 overs and Tom Fletcher took his tally to 44 as he returned 3 for 86 from a marathon 28-over spell.

United recovered from the early loss of Dave Rodgers and with Matt Milburn scoring 28, Nick Armstrong 31 and Neil Longhurst 37, they looked reasonably well placed at 90 for 3 but, with Wainwright running the show they stumbled to 127 all out, the young left armer taking 3 for 29 from 14 overs.

Collegiate entertain Appleby Frodingham tomorrow and United face in-form Doncaster, who have hopes of a top three finish, at Bawtry Road.

Positions 24 rounds: York 121 Castleford 121 Rotherham 103 Doncaster 99 Cleethorpes 93 YCA 90 Scarborough 90 Barnsley 88 Collegiate 86 Hull 86 Driffield 78 United 60 Appleby Frodingham 55 Harrogate 33



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