BLUDGEONING batting from Jack Leaning booked York Cricket Club’s berth at finals day of the Solly Sports Yorkshire League t20 competition.

Competing in group ‘B’ at Harrogate on Sunday, the Yorkshire startlet smacked 81 off 46 balls in a victory against the hosts and then struck 63 off just 29 balls as the Clifton Parkers beat Scarborough.

York will now join the other group winners at Scarborough’s North Marine Road ground on Sunday, July 21, to play for places in the national competition.

Kicking off against Harrogate, who York had beaten comprehensively by seven wickets in the league the previous day, the Shipton Road side chose to bat and – after recovering from the early loss of Liam McKendry, who was bowled by Ashley Griffin on ten – the visitors were soon in total command.

A 90-run partnership between Oliver Hairs and Leaning set York up for a huge total, with the destructive Scot hitting 11 fours and two sixes in a magnificent 67 from only 28 balls.

Hairs fell, bowled by Rob Stanworth, with York on 112-2 but Leaning, who would carry his bat throughout the innings with ten fours and two sixes, soon struck up a similarly effective pairing with Duncan Snell.

Leaning anchored one end, while Snell hit four fours and three sixes in a quickfire 47 from 22 balls.

By the time cameos from Ryan McKendry (11) and Alex Collins (17 off nine) had seen York through the 20 overs, they had compiled a fearsome 240.

Harrogate had little chance of chasing down such a huge total and, although Andy Hawkswell hit 45 from 43 balls, wickets fell regularly as Jake Murphy (2-27), Ryan McKendry (2-25), Leaning (2-18) and a wicket apiece for Charlie Elliot and Jonathan Moxon meant Harrogate could only muster 110 in reply.

Perhaps fearing the worst if they let York in first, Scarborough won the toss and elected to bat.

But Darren Harland was soon back in the pavilion, judged lbw from Murphy’s bowling for just four, and the seasiders were never able to establish themselves.

Andy Simpson (29 off 30) and Mark Tennant (33 not out) were the best of their batsman as Leaning and McKendry took two wickets each and Moxon and Pringle also helped to keep the scoring down.

York required just 107 for victory and, although opener Hairs fell to his first ball when caught by Tennant off Chris Grey’s bowling, Liam McKendry’s 35 not out and another superb knock from Leaning – which contained seven fours and three sixes – saw his side home.