YORK Cricket Club Under-15s have qualified for the NatWest U15 National Club Championship finals day after being crowned champions of the north.

The club hosted a North of England finals day at Clifton Park, with the home club’s first match against Clitheroe acting as a northern semi-final and a national last 16 match.

Batting first, York posted a respectable 115-6, with the runs spread around the side. Ted Patmore led the scoring with 23, closely followed by Cameron Burdass’ 22 and Alex Liley’s 21.

The fierce York bowling attack then rattled the red-rose outfit, bowling them out for 81.

The killers with the ball were Felix Vanderborth, who took 3-14, and Burdass, who claimed 3-9.

This victory put the boys into the national quarter-finals, and a tie against Plumtree which doubled up as the North of England final.

Batting first against the champions of Nottinghamshire, York made a tremendous 160-7 from their allocated 20 overs.

Richard Brown led the way with 50 not out, and his effort was closely followed by a classy 44 from Burdass.

Brown then took the plaudits with the ball, helping to skittle Plumtree for 74. Brown’s 3-15 was backed up by Vanderborth’s 2-10.

Also worthy of note was York’s pressure in the field as they forced three run-outs.

Coach Mick Hammerton said: “It’s a really fantastic achievement for the boys, to go with being Yorkshire cup champions.

“They played really well, and to get this far is remarkable.”

The national finals day will take place at Oundle School in Peterborough on Monday, August 11. The matches will start at 10.30am.