FINAL agony befell York & District Under-11s as they lost to Heavy Woollen by only two runs in the climax to the Yorkshire Junior Cricket Festival.

Heavy Woollen made 127 after winning the toss and opting to bat first at Spofforth, and York closed on 125 in a thrilling finale.

Harry Watkinson claimed the first of his two victims in the second over as he and Sam Backhouse bowled four overs apiece and restricted their opponents to 18-1.

A half-century stand for the second wicket was broken when Chris Wood was introduced to the attack. Wood claimed another wicket and ended up with figures of 2-27.

Steady bowling by Tom Tom Scott Masson, skipper Thomas Brown and Isaac Giannini, who claimed a wicket, kept Heavy Woollen in check. York’s fielding was again of the highest quality.

York’s reply got off to an horrendous start as four wickets fell with only 18 runs on the board, while they were later rocking at 35-6.

Giannini and Tim Burgess forged a 35-run stand to take the score to 70 before Burgess was run out.

Dan Toone joined Giannini and the pair carried on the good work, compiling a 51-run partnership, before Toone was bowled looking for a big shot.

With ten needed off the final over, York could only manage seven.

York’s consolation won the man-of-the match award for Giannini.