YORK & District's representative under-11s side ended a mixed Yorkshire Junior Cricket Festival campaign on a high note with a win over Pontefract.

The youngsters, who reached the final of the competition the previous year, were unable to progress from group 'C', where they were pitted against Aire Wharfe, Scarborough and Pontefract.

Aire Wharfe were York's first opponents at North Leeds and the home side managed to get home with three overs to spare.

Having won the toss, Aire Wharfe invited York to bat on a green wicket.

Harvey Gration and Ophelia Watson made steady progress with a stand of 43 in 15 overs before Watson was bowled.

A flurry of wickets saw York slump to 53-5 in the 21st over but a partnership of 41 between George Pears, who hit 19 not out, and David Ford carried the visitors to 94.

York made a superb start to defending their below par total as a wicket apiece for Finn Baqai and Jack Davies, coupled with a run out, reduced Aire Wharfe to 15-3 and raised hopes of a win.

However, Tom Aldred rode his luck in scoring 44 to clinch victory.

York's second game against Scarborough at Woodhouse Grange fell victim to the weather, all but ending any hope of qualifying for the semi-finals.

The campaign closed with a game against Pontrfract at Malton & Old Malton.

The hosts won the toss and asked Pontefract to bat. They made a steady 18 before losing their first wicket.

A combination of good fielding and steady bowling kept Pontefract in check, but a late flurry of runs took them to a competitive 111-6 from their 30 overs.

Watson was the pick of the bowlers with 2-13, while there was a wicket each for Baqai, Dan Tingle, Matthew Lock and captain Harry Watkinson, who was only available for one game due to county duties.

A fine opening stand of 63 between Watkinson and Tingle paved the way for a successful chase, with the duo only parted when Tingle was forced to retire with a foot injury.

Watson and Pears then took up the challenge and completd the task as York ran out winners in the 26th over.

Watson was unbeaten on 19 and Pears made 27 not out.

A spokesman said: "It was a good finish, but not what we had hoped for after making the final the previous year."