HIGH Farndale have been crowned Feversham League champions after defeating Gillamoor in the final of the Top Four play-offs.

Mark Aconley and Brian Leckenby steered Farndale home against the League victors with a little over two overs to spare.

After intense negotiations about the venue, date and start time for the match, it was finally resolved that it would take place on Slingsby Sports & Social Club’s ground last Sunday with a 12 noon start time.

That didn’t appear to be a problem as the weather forecast for the area didn’t predict any rain until after 2pm. However, to the consternation of those present, it began to rain at 11:50am, and soon got heavier and heavier.

Nonetheless, one of the Feversham League’s attributes is to defy playing conditions and get games played whatever the weather, and that is exactly what happened.

Instead of having to make a decision about possibly sharing the trophy or playing the game at an alternative date in three weeks’ time, it was unanimously decided to make a start at 12:55pm come what may.

The pitch used the previous week was quickly prepared, and in reasonable condition, it posed no problems. The match was set for twelve overs a side, with a maximum three overs per bowler.

Luckily, the rain had ceased by the time Gillamoor’s openers Pete Casey and Henry Marwood arrived at the crease, armed with the knowledge that once settled they had to get a move on to aim for a target of at least 120 runs for the innings.

And they duly obeyed instructions until they were parted in the fourth over, Casey having his stumps re-arranged by Will Gibson for 13.

Ryan Lazenby joined Marwood, and the score moved along smoothly, even though there was an occasional failure to take quick singles.

With the total on 72-1, then came a decisive ninth over which proved a temporary setback for Gillamoor.

First Marwood, with a well executed 32 - including three sixes - was bowled by Vernon Smith (2-19), who also accounted for Sam Farrow two balls later without scoring, brilliantly caught in the deep by Craig Sunley.

Worse was to come when Ben Stamp was run out for just one run.

Despite that, Lazenby and Louie Cook made a more than decent recovery in the final three overs with some forceful batting as Gillamoor finished on a challenging 118-6.

Lazenby, run out off the last ball of the innings, made 33 and the impressive Cook an undefeated 24.

To the neutral spectator, it appeared a close finish was in prospect, as High Farndale’s openers Mark Aconley and Brian Leckenby began the task of surpassing Gillamoor’s average run rate per over of 9.83.

Leckenby and Yorkshire C.C’s Jonny Bairstow have one thing in common, namely a determined effort to prove any doubters in their ability wrong - and that clearly was Leckenby’s mission.

Gillamoor held the initiative after the first over when only two runs were scored. But both openers soon got to grips at the crease, and at the halfway stage, the electronic scoreboard read 62-0.

Aconley is a fine batsman in his own right, but for the next four overs he was content to watch Leckenby unleash an array of scintillating boundary shots, innumerable fours and three sixes.

Gillamoor’s flagging bowlers had no answer, and it was a merciful release for them when Leckenby, the obvious Man of the Match, powered the winning runs with more than two overs to spare.

Leckenby finished with a memorable 75 not out, with Aconley, in a vital supporting role, 29 not out.

The cup was presented to the High Farndale captain,Craig Sunley by the League chairman John Hatfield.

Sam Farrow received the League trophy (first competed for in 1927) on behalf of Gillamoor and medals for his team were distributed.

The Batting trophy went to Ben Corner (Slingsby) with 95 not out, and the Bowling Trophy to Will Gibson (High Farndale) with 6-10.