Yorkshire Phoenix ended a run of seven consecutive defeats in the CGU National League by thrashing Leicestershire Foxes by seven wickets at North Marine Road yesterday to give themselves a chance of staving off relegation into Division Two.

So firmly in control were Phoenix that there were still 12.2 overs remaining when they brought the curtain down on this year's sun-drenched and highly successful festival.

The last time Yorkshire won a game in the competition was when they beat Leicestershire by 100 runs at Grace Road on June 29 and completion of the double moved them out of the bottom three - although other strugglers enjoy matches in hand.

Leicestershire were so depleted by injuries that former Yorkshire batsman Phil Robinson, now second team captain and coach at Grace Road, was drafted into their side but he lost his off-stump offering no stroke to Chris Silverwood as the Foxes made heavy weather of reaching 139 for nine on a slow pitch after winning the toss.

Silverwood was the most successful of the bowlers with three for 16 but Yorkshire were served equally well by Ryan Sidebottom and Craig White with Anthony McGrath and Ian Fisher also keeping their fingers on the pulse.

The 6,000 crowd appreciated Yorkshire's excellent fielding and catching and it was only a late 38 from Michael Kasprowicz which helped to push Leicestershire beyond the 100 mark. He was out in the final over when Silver-wood's return from long off hit the target.

Suddenly, batting looked much easier as Craig White and Michael Vaughan moved quickly into their stride although Vaughan had an escape when Nixon dropped him behind the stumps off Kasprowicz when only nine.

White cut and cover drove Jon Dakin with such style that Vaughan applauded at the other end and he gave another admiring glance as White smacked the same bowler high over point for six.

Yorkshire's second half century opening stand of the season came off 13 overs but White was then bowled for 28 trying to run Vince Wells to third man and Vaughan departed for an elegant 41, Nixon anticipating his sweep at Tim Mason and running to his left to take the catch.

Richard Blakey was bowled by Kasprowicz but Yorkshire were in no mood to be trifled with and David Byas and McGrath needed just 23 balls to knock off the 34 runs which were still required.

They were helped by spinner Mason giving away 12 runs as a result of a no-ball to the grateful McGrath. He drove it for four and then smashed the free hit which ensued into the pavilion enclosure for six.

Byas's unbeaten 36 came off 57 balls with five fours while McGrath needed only 17 deliveries for his 24 not out with three fours and a six.

It was announced that Sir Paul Getty had accepted an invitation to be next year's chairman of the Scarborough club.

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