REIGNING Andy Hire Scarborough Evening League champions Staxton ‘A’ got revenge for two successive Harburn Cup final defeats as they beat Flixton ‘A’ in exciting fashion to at last lift the prestigious trophy.

On a fine evening at North Marine Road, playing on the same pitch used by Yorkshire CCC a few days earlier, Staxton - who also face a title decider tomorrow night (Thursday) - won by just six runs with two balls left.

Spinner Linden Gray was the hero, taking 7-28 off just 30 deliveries, including the wicket of last man in the last over.

Staxton also beat Seamer ‘A’ in division ‘A’ last week and tomorrow (Thursday) take on leaders Ebberston ‘A’ in the last game of the season, the winners of which will be crowned 2014 division ‘A’ champions.

Flixton skipper Scott Cooper won the toss in the Harburn Cup final and put Staxton into bat.

They had moved on to 18 before opener Rob Pinder was out for 13, caught by Chris Mann off Will Hunter.

The other opener, Carl Joyce, and Chris Dove took the score to 64 when Joyce was out for 30.

Dove went on to make a fine 42 and was supported by Paul Witty (14) as Staxton totalled 140-8 off their allotted 15 eight-ball overs.

Ben Elvidge (2-19) was the pick of the Flixton bowlers, with Will Hunter, Chris Mann, James Nesfield and Richard Malthouse picking up a wicket apiece.

In reply, Flixton openers Oliver Stephenson and Stuart Stocks took the score to 65 without loss when Staxton introduced Gray into the attack.

Stocks was then out for an excellent 48, soon to be followed by Stephenson for 18.

Jamie Nesfield hit a quick 29 to take the score to 130 but Gray continued to take wickets, with Elliot Cooper and Carl Joyce also claiming one victim each, the other being a run-out.

A raffle at the gate raised almost £340 for local charities.

Meanwhile, the league campaign concludes tomorrow night (Thursday).

Ebberston go into it one point ahead at the summit of division ‘A’ after an easy 129-run win over relegated Cloughton ‘A’, Matt Turnbull (58), Eddie Craggs (51) and Ben Lealman (39) having taken them to a superb 201-3.

Staxton are the only team who can topple them.

They bear Seamer by 28 runs last week, with Gray again starring with 41 runs with the bat and 3-15 with the ball.

C Stephenson hit 69 not out as third-placed Flixton ‘A’ beat Forge Valley ‘A’, while T Milner made 64 not out as Heslerton beat Wykeham ‘A’ by nine wickets.

Scalby ‘A’ capped their division ‘B’-winning season by beating Flixton ‘B’ by 85 runs. Flixton need to win their last game of term to avoid the drop.

The second promotion place will go down to the wire, between Ganton and Sherburn, after Ganton lost by two wickets to Scarborough last week.

The final of the Hunter Cup, for division ‘B’ teams, takes place at North Marine Road, on Monday, August 4, between Ganton and Scarborough.

The game comprises 15 eight-ball overs a side. Entrance is free, but spectators are expected to buy charity raffle tickets. Bar facilities will be available during the game.