BARNSLEY CC first team closed in on second place in the Yorkshire League while the second string won the Crowther Cup.

Azeem Rafiq returned to action after a month-long ECB ban for a Twitter rant at his coach. The Yorkshire star hit 111 runs and took nine wickets as the Shaw Laners won at Harrogate on Saturday and at home to Sheffield United on Monday.

Gray Ballance hit 85 at Harrogate before Simon Widdup made his third century of the year on Monday.

Meanwhile, Andrew Ivill and 15-year-old Tom Goldsby-West shared seven wicketsfor the 2nd XI as Wakefield Thornes were skittled for 82 in the cup final.

Pete Hadfield then smashed an unbeaten 46 as Barnsley won by nine wickets. They have now won the Crowther Cup for year consecutive years and five times since 2003.

The victory also completes a cup double for the second string this year. Last month they lifted the Mick Savage Trophy for the first time ever after defeating Rockingham at Darfield's School Street ground.