Yorkshire Phoenix needed to win this match to salvage any hopes of playing in the 1st Division of the National League in 2004.  But with victory in their sights the side couldn't deliver and they were defeated by 4 wickets by Essex Eagles.

Winning the toss, Essex put Yorkshire into bat first.  It wasn't long before Matthew Wood was out scoring 5 off the bowling of Napier to a spectacular catch by John Stephenson. Craig White put on 18 before he also fell to the bowling of Napier. Vic Craven put on 31 before being bowled by Clarke and Gavin Hamilton fell to the same fate after scoring 20.  With Blakey and Gough at the crease the Phoenix recovered from 117-7 to make 30 and 33 repectively.  In total Yorkshire made 174 all out with 1 ball to spare.

Set 175 to win Essex were at one point 61-5 and victory looked to be heading back to Leeds.  However ex-Yorkshire man James Middlebrook and Mark Pettini put on a stand of 88 to rescue the Eagles.  They made 177-6 with an over to spare and sent Yorkshire down to Division 2.