Last-over agony for York Cricket Club as Ezard strikes (From York Press)

Last-over agony for York Cricket Club as Ezard strikes

9:58am Monday 7th May 2012 in Yorkshire League By Kevin Hutchinson

CHAMPIONS York opened their bid for a sixth successive Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League title with a dramatic one-run defeat at home to Driffield Town.

Dan Woods, in his first game as York captain, was last out as Ollie Ezard found the edge of his bat and ’keeper John Major gleefully took the catch with only two balls of the match remaining.

It brought to an end a gallant last-wicket partnership which saw Woods and Jake Murphy add 22 to carry York agonisingly close to victory.

Earlier, the new skipper had struck in the second over of the match, Mark Clarkson lobbing an easy catch to Ryan McKendry at mid-on. That brought former Pakistan under-19s player Aamer Sajjad to the crease and his chanceless 129 carried Driffield to 217-9.

Sam Drury gave support with 34 and George Drury hit 30, while Tom Pringle took 5-76 and Ryan McKendry 2-43.

York’s reply got off to a stuttering start, as both openers were dismissed in the first ten overs.

Oliver Hairs’ 41 off 28 balls threatened to ignite the innings until he was bowled, while Nick Kay (32) and Andy Tute (23) dug in to add 50 for the fifth wicket.

Ryan McKendry (32) and debutant Steven Crossley (23) took up the chase, but Driffield held their nerve to claim the win.

Yesterday, York came within 13 runs of causing an upset at Woodlands in round one of the Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy.

Murphy took 5-22 as the hosts were pegged to 175, but York fell just short despite a half-century from Hairs.

• Heworth teenager Jack Leaning started the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League season in impressive style.

The England Under-19s batsman hit a top-scoring 88 off 123 balls, including six fours and a six, as Yorkshire Academy trounced Castleford by 172 runs.

Leaning’s knock helped the Academy to 246-6 and Cas were then skittled for only 74.