CLIFTON Alliance Under-11s started their cricket season in style by winning a regional indoor cricket tournament in Scarborough.

The Shipton Road-based club won the Scarborough & Ryedale Indoor Cricket League - beating teams from the Ryedale, Whitby and Scarborough areas to the silverware.

Clifton Alliance, who saw off Whitby in the semi-finals, batted first in the final against Duncombe Park, starting quickly before briefly being pegged back by the loss of three wickets.

George Breheney and Evan Postill then put on a valuable partnership of 47 before the former retired on 26, with Postill continuing to put runs on the board up to Clifton’s 102-4 finish.

Duncombe opened their innings strongly but tight bowling from Caisley and Breheny – who took 2-9 and 1-7 respectively – and good fielding meant they fell 14 runs short with 88-4.

Club chairman Dave Heartshorne said: “This is a terrific achievement for our young cricketers and hopefully sets them up for a successful season to come. 

“Indoor cricket is a great way to keep playing the game during the winter and keeps our juniors together all year round.

“I’d like to thank all the players, coaches and parents who travelled a lot of miles to keep our junior teams playing this winter. 

“To keep our players developing we would like to see a York-based league next season.”

Pickering’s youngsters picked up the title in the U13s category, seeing off Forge Valley in the final.

Pickering limited Forge Valley to 97-3 from their 12 overs with Isaac Edmond and Ryan Vance the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 2-18 and 1-9 respectively.

Pickering captain Joe Barker then racked up 53 for the second wicket alongside man-of-the-match Vance, who finished 33 not out as Pickering cruised to their target with 4.2 overs to spare.