YORK tasted defeat against Driffield Town for the third time this season as they came up short in the final of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League Knockout Cup.

The Clifton Parkers went into the game having already clinched a seventh successive league title, but they suffered a repeat of their Yorkshire League T20 semi-final against the same opposition in July.

The top order failed to fire on the big stage after winning the toss and, despite a knock of 88 from man-of-the-match Simon Lambert, their total of 227 proved insufficient.

Cup holders Town cruised to a home victory with almost nine overs to spare in front of a large and partisan crowd.

Stand-in York skipper Duncan Snell followed opening partner Jack Leaning back to the pavilion early on, both having edged behind, Leaning to the ’keeper and Snell to first slip, to leave the visitors on 21-2.

Liam McKendry and Oliver Hairs managed to steady the innings, adding 37 before the former was out bowled, the first of three victims for occasional seam bowler Danny Broumpton. He also picked up the wickets of Hairs (31) and Alex Collins.

When Nick Kay gave Mark Goddard his third catch behind the stumps, York were in deep trouble at 96-6 at the halfway point of their 45 overs.

Simon Lambert and Jake Murphy, both more used to playing in the second XI, emerged as the unlikely batting heroes.

Murphy made 37 off 60 balls and was beginning to strike the ball when he picked out a fielder at mid-wicket, but a partnership of 76 made the score respectable.

Tom Pringle (11) provided Lambert with support as he reached 50 off 60 balls, going on to finish 12 short of the century he deserved, with a final boundary tally of 11, including three sixes.

He departed caught at cover, giving David Brent a second wicket, with the score on 221. A further six runs were added before the innings closed on 227-9.

Abid Ali’s 30 off 26 at the top of the order got Driffield off to a flying start as 50 came up inside the first eight overs.

York’s bowling attack – missing Daniel Woods and with both Murphy and Pringle carrying injuries – was never able to contain the hosts’ scoring rate.

’Keeper Nigel Durham held three catches, including two off Glen Richmond. When Leaning had Mark Clarkson caught behind in his first over, there was a glimmer of hope of an unlikely turnaround.

That was snuffed out by a 92-run partnership between Sam Drury (53no) and George Drury (57), which came at almost six an over.

Murphy picked up the consolation wicket of George Drury, caught by Hairs at cover.

Fittingly, given his earlier exploits with the ball, that allowed Broumpton to go the crease to strike the winning runs as Driffield completed a cup double.