Double chasers

Wilson made just four runs and ran out captain Stephen Piercy in an inconspicuous start to his day.

But York's overseas player then redeemed himself, securing a 13-run victory by contributing to two late runs-outs and claiming the wickets of the last two Scarborough batsmen with his off-spin.

Earlier, York had progressed to 71 without loss before openers Piercy (30) and Dan Broadbent departed in quick succession.

Nick Kay then followed shortly afterwards as York went from 70-0 through 15 overs to 81-3 after 25.

Visiting spinners Kaushik Aphale and Mark Lawson were responsible for the dramatic drop in run-rate and, at 102-5 from 34 overs, York looked in trouble.

However, Nick Thornicroft was promoted up the innings under attacking instructions from skipper Piercy and, with Aphale and Lawson having bowled their complement of overs, the decision proved inspired.

Thornicroft smacked two fours and three sixes from 35 balls as he made 46 and shared a 121-run sixth-wicket partnership with Duncan Snell.

The pair were at the crease together for 15 overs and 51 minutes with Snell making 90 off 95 balls before being caught in the final over as York finished on 237-7 - a more respectable target than once looked possible.

In reply, Scarborough managed 42-0 before Piercy captured the wickets of both openers and, after their dismissals, nobody provided sufficient support for third man Aphale, who finished on 111 not out off 107 balls.

Nevertheless, Scarborough looked possible winners until Wilson intervened.

First, the Antipodean ace claimed a direct hit to run out Kunwar Bansil and then he helped dismiss Chris Gilbert with an excellent throw from the boundary.

Then, with Scarborough requiring 14 runs off the last two overs, Wilson bowled George Rounthwaite and had 11th-man Mike Thompson stumped to clinch a September 10 final meeting with Yorkshire League leaders Barnsley at Clifton Park.

Fourth-placed York are still chasing a league and cup double with only eight points - the equivalent of one win - separating the top five teams.

York also meet Barnsley in the league before the end of the season but first travel to Cleethorpes on Saturday and play host to bottom club Appleby Frodingham on Bank Holiday Monday.

Yorkshire League Cup Semi-final York v Scarborough (at Clifton Park) York: S Piercy run out 30, D Broadbent c Pateman b Lyth 37, D Wilson b Lawson 4, N Kay b Aphale 1, D Snell c Fletcher b Gilbert 90, A Collins c Rounthwaite b Lawson 4, N Thornicroft b Thompson 46, R Flack not out 12, T Bartram not out 0.

Extras 13. Total 237-7 (50 overs).

Bowling: R Gilbert 10-0-53-1, M Thompson 8-2-43-1, K Aphale 10-4-24-1, A Lyth 7-0-42-1, M Lawson 10-3-12-2, T Pateman 3-0-26-0, N Fletcher 2-0-30-0.

Scarborough: A Lyth lbw Piercy 24, D Harland c Thornicroft b Piercy 27, K Aphale not out 111, P Holdsworth lbw Broadbent 20, M Lawson c Durham b Bell 3, N Fletcher c Durham b Broadbent 2, K Bansil run out 4, T Pateman b Wilson 9, R Gilbert run out 6, G Rounthwaite b Wilson 2, M Thompson st Durham b Wilson 0.

Extras 16. Total 224 (48.2 overs).

Bowling: N Thornicroft 8-0-37-0, S Piercy 10-1-34-2, T Bartram 7-0-28-0, M Bell 10-0-39-1, D Broadbent 10-0-46-2, N Kay 1-0-19-0, D Wilson 2.2-0-8-3.

Other Yorkshire League results: Sheffield United 255-6 (J Trower 32, N Longhurst 67, P Cook 30, M King 91, N Smith 3-61) beat Rotherham Town 251-7 (A Raheem 71, J Moorehouse 75, S Choudry 32, A Carrington 4-85) by four runs.

Barnsley 183 (S Widdup 31, A Morris 44, M Wilson 36, J Tasker 7-39) lost to Sheffield Collegiate 186-7 (J Tasker 31, M Simpson 43no, G Harper 3-56) by three wickets.

Hull 230-6 (A Simpson 34, A Kirby 93no, P Groves 40, N White 4-48) beat Appleby Frodingham 200-9 (M Morland 41, N White 88no, J Hodgson 3-53, S Hewitt 5-47) by 30 runs. All other games abandoned.