A DREAM double is still on the cards for York after they edged past Yorkshire Academy in the semi-finals of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League Cup.

The top two sides in the league table went head-to-head in a rain-affected clash at Leeds University, with York booking their place in the final by three runs on the Duckworth Lewis Method.

York skipper Dan Woods won the toss and his side made 225-7 off their 45 overs, with the county youngsters replying with 100-3 from 24 overs before rain curtailed the match.

York’s top three were back in the pavilion, all caught behind before the score reached 50, but the league leaders were rescued by a fourth-wicket stand of 111 in 21 overs between Oliver Hairs and Alex Collins.

Hairs was dropped off the bowling of Matt Fisher on 28 and went on to make 69 off 61 balls, including four fours and three sixes, while Collins made 53 from 83 balls, with two fours and two sixes.

Ryan McKendry and Marcus Wood were out in quick succession, leaving York’s total looking below-par at 187-7.

A crucial 38 runs were also added in the closing overs by Woods, who was 19 not out off 14 balls, and fellow spinner Tom Pringle, who ended the innings unbeaten on 18 from 17 balls.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge teenager Fisher took 2-53 from his eight overs for the Academy, while Jared Warner took 2-27 from six overs.

The Academy took 17 runs from the opening over by Glen Richmond but they were reduced to 50-3, with Liam McKendry taking out openers Eliot Callis and Jonny Tattersall before Duncan Snell snared Mosun Hussain.

Ryan Gibson and Joshua Shaw then shared an unbroken but rain-interrupted stand of 50.

However, the game was eventually called off after 24 overs, handing York their fifth final appearance in the last ten years.

Ryan Gibson was unbeaten on 43 from 57 deliveries, hitting three fours, while Shaw was 12 not out.

Liam McKendry was the star performer with the ball for York, returning figures of 2-28 from his nine overs, while Snell took 1-30 from his nine.

The sides will meet again in the league at the same venue on Saturday with reigning champions York looking to protect their seven-point lead over the Academy.

Holders Driffield were 118-run winners over hosts Scarborough in the other semi-final.

Driffield were bowled out for 218, with Ben Kohler-Cadmore top-scoring with 43 and Abid Ali making 33.

Scarborough were then skittled for 100, with Tom Chippendale taking 4-37 and Dave Brent 3-8.