HEWORTH successfully defended the York Vale Junior Sixes title at Pocklington.

Their ‘A’ team beat Ovington by four wickets in a repeat of last year’s final.

Batting first, Ovington made 52-1 in their five overs with Matthew Roberts and Jonathan Souch retiring on 20 and 21 respectively. Will Fryer captured the only wicket to fall.

Souch and Roberts also took a wicket apiece but could not prevent Heworth from winning after contributions by Ryan Whitley (20no) and Dan Davidson (15no).

Heworth ‘B’ almost spoiled Ovington’s cup final ambitions in the semi-finals.

That game was tied with 60 runs each, Heworth going through by virtue of losing less wickets. Heworth ‘A’ beat Pock comfortably in the other semi-final.

There was a decent crowd watching and plenty of big hitting by the young batters, some of whom were playing this short form of cricket for the first time.

Outstanding fielding was a feature of the day with Whitley taking a spectacular catch when he leapt to parry a potential six as it was crossing the boundary line and then grasped the rebound as he landed back in the field of play.

Vale League chairman Tony Hargrave said: “It was rewarding to see six teams of the league’s junior players displaying their talents in some very competitive matches.”

Carl Marsden of tournament sponsor Raven Cricket presented the trophy and medals to both finalists.

He said: “Heworth and Ovington put on a great display in getting to the final.

“And all clubs deserve credit for all their efforts, with many entertaining matches played in the right spirit.

“As a competition it has showcased the talents of many up and coming players who will hopefully go on to be Vale League stalwarts in the years to come.”

It was the third year of the competition, with the first tournament in 2012 being won by Welton & Brough.