YORK Cricket Club's U13 juniors were crowned NatWest ECB Yorkshire County Champions last weekend following victories over Harrogate and Barnsley at Mirfield Cricket Club.

They now go onto represent Yorkshire in the ECB NatWest National Club competition and play the Derbyshire winners in July for a place at the North of England Finals.

In the semifinal, York opted to bowl and Harrogate were limited to 22-2 in the first five overs by Jack Davies and Ben Barnett. They eventually closed on 69 all out with Corby Doeg taking three wickets for just six runs supported by captain Harvey Gration and vice captain Elliot Watson.

In reply, York were soon in command. Watson retired on 31 with the score 55-0 after 10 overs. However, Gration needed to dig in as the wickets fell around him. He remained unbeaten on 25 as York finished on 69-6 to win by four wickets.

Barnsley, who had beaten Sheffield Collegiate in their semifinal, were put into bat by York in the final.

Barnett blew away the top-order with 4 wickets for just 5 runs in 3 overs and Barnsley were reeling on 16-5 after 6 overs.

Gration then started his spell with three wickets for just one run in one over - to leave the opposition on 17-8 after seven overs and in total disarray.

More excellent bowling from Watson (3 overs for 2 runs) and Doeg (2 overs for 4 runs and 1 wicket ) resulted in Barnsley reaching only 27-9 in their 15 overs.

Although York needed just 28 to win, the threat of impending rain briefly offered Barnsley a lifeline.

Gration and Watson took the score to 11 after four overs before the former was run out for three runs.

Watson then fell LBW for seven in the next over leaving Toby Search and Alex Try-Banton to steer York to victory by the seventh over.