THE first Andy Hire Scarborough Evening League Harburn Cup semi-final at Flixton proved to be a real thriller – Staxton ‘A’ edging out Ebberston ‘A’ by a single run.

Ebberston needed 14 runs of the final eight-ball over to win and they took it down to four from the final delivery, but they only managed a two.

“What a wonderful advert for the league the game turned out to be,” said league secretary Bernard Goulding.

Staxton, having won the toss, had earlier elected to bat and scored a great total of 157-5 off the allotted 15 eight-ball overs.

Young Australian Carl Joyce top-scored with a hard hitting 58 off 45 balls, supported by 23 from Dan Blanchard, 26 from Nick Gibson and 30 off just 17 balls from Paul Witty.

The best bowling was an early tight spell from Matty Turnbull (1-20), while Frankie Beal took 2-31 and Neil Eddon 1-31.

In reply, Ebberston suffered an early blow as Turnbull was out leg before wicket on the first ball of Carl Joyce's first over, but they then to build an innings with Eddie Craggs scoring a quick 29, Mike Horsley 14, and John Mason 13 not out, but the real runs came from number three bat Ben Lockey, who hit a wonderful 66 not out off just 46 balls.

With 16 balls to go, Ebberston needed 42 runs to win but Lockey and Mason smashed 28 off the 14th over to leave them needing 14 off the last over, but Joyce restricted them to 12 for his side to edge victory.

Joyce ended with 3-44 and Lindon Gray 2-59 but the tight bowling earlier from Andy Holtby and Adam Hargreaves was a major factor.

In the final, Staxton ‘A’ will face the winners of holders Flixton ‘A’ and Heslerton, who meet in the other semi-final tonight (Wednesday) at Ebberston, starting at 6.15pm.

Meanwhile, Ganton will meet Scarborough at North Marine Road in the final of the Hunter Cup on Monday, August 4 after they beat Scalby 'A' and Cayton 'A' respectively in the semi-finals this week.

Scarborough rattled up 160-2 and bowled Cayton out for 107. Ganton's game was closer - they made 130-6 and won by 14 runs by holding Scalby to 116-6.