A BATTLING bowling display and a century stand between David Leatherdale and Gavin Haynes failed to save Worcestershire Royals from a three wicket defeat in yesterday's National League Division One clash against Yorkshire Phoenix at New Road.

Yorkshire, facing a victory target of 213, finally scraped home with just four balls to spare after skipper David Byas had made a fine 87.

When he was eventually out in the 32nd over, after hitting ten fours off 104 balls, Yorkshire were 54 runs short of their target with six wickets left.

Anthony McGrath (26) and Richard Blakey (21) eased them nearer the winnings post, but Worcestershire's attack made it difficult for them and when the last over arrived they still needed further four runs.

The first ball by spinner Matt Rawnley to Gary Fellows was unproductive but the next was struck to the boundary to give Yorkshire their second successive league victory.

County paceman Alamgir Sheriyar and Duncan Catterall picked up a couple of wickets each with Catterall dismissing Byas, who put Yorkshire's victory chase on a sound footing by figuring in a 72-run partnership spanning 78 balls with fellow opener Greg Blewett.

Worcestershire, after being put in to bat in front of a sun-blessed crowd of around 3,500, made a shaky start before recovering well to compile 212-5.

The backbone of their innings was provided by Leatherdale and Haynes who put on 133 in 24 overs for the fourth wicket.

Bradford-born Leatherdale led the way with a battling unbeaten 70, while Haynes was equally impressive in making 66.

For determined Leatherdale it was his highest score in 106 league innings. After joining faces with Haynes when the County score was on 54-3 off 17 overs, he cracked one six and six fours off 82 balls.

Haynes hit six fours off 93 deliveries before he was caught at mid-on by Byas off paceman Chris Silverwood who finished with 3-30.

The twosome provided a timely lift for Worcestershire after they had lost Phil Weston, Paul Pollard and Vikram Solanki to be 54-3 at one stage.

WORCESTERSHIRE

Pollard b White 19

Weston c Blakey b Silverwood 0

Solanki c Fisher b Silverwood 11

Haynes c Byas b Silverwood 66

Leatherdale not out 70

Wilson run out 7

Rhodes run out 5

Extras: 34

Total (5 wkts, 45 overs) 212

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-26, 3-54, 4-187, 5-202.

Bowling: Silverwood 9-0-30-3; Sidebottom 9-0-35-0; Hamilton 9-0-54-0; White 9-0-29-1; Fisher 7-0-28-0; Fellow 2-0-21-0.

YORKSHIRE

Blewett b Haynes 27

Byas c Rhodes c Catterall 87

White c & b Rawnsley 13

Vaughan c Rhodes b Illingworth 13

McGrath c Wilson b Sheriyar 26

Hamilton c Rhodes b Catterall 5

Blakey c Wilson b Sheriyar 21

Fellows not out 11

Silverwood not out 0

Extras: 10

Total (7 wkts, 44.2 overs) 213

Fall of wickets: 1-72, 2-100, 3-124, 4-159, 5-166, 6-201, 7-201.

Bowling: Haynes 9-0-46-1; Sheriyar 6-0-33-2; Catterall 9-1-35-2; Rawnsley 8.2-0-36-1; Illingworth 7-0-34-1; Leatherdale 5-0-26-0.

Monday, May 3, 1999.