Yorkshire pile misery on Lancashire

James Lee took two wickets, but his unbeaten 39 proved to be the crucial contribution in Yorkshire's Second XI Trophy final success

Lancashire suffered final heartbreak for the second time in four days after Yorkshire pipped them to the Second XI Trophy.

Lancashire missed out on the Second XI Championship crown last Friday only by virtue of a lower first-innings total than Surrey.

Their disappointment was compounded today when they slipped to a two-wicket defeat at the hands of their Roses rivals in a tense, low-scoring clash at Scarborough.

Lancashire’s hopes of victory appeared minimal after they slumped to 11 for four despite winning the toss, but Tom Smith’s 46, allied to 41 from Luke Procter and 22 from Chrris Tipped, helped them reach 142.

James Lee, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Azeem Rafiq and Ben Sanderson claimed two wickets apiece for Yorkshire, but it was with the bat where Lee made the biggest impact.

The hosts made a similarly poor start to their innings as they tumbled to 32 for three and then 83 for six.

Adam Lyth, who made 28, was the only batsman to hint at permanence until Lee intervened, the pace bowler hitting an unbeaten 39 to carry Yorkshire home despite the loss of Steve Patterson, the eighth wicket, with the score on 139.

Lee’s contribution rendered the efforts of Oliver Newby and Simon Kerrigan, who claimed 3-35 and 3-37 respectively, in vain as Yorkshire brought the season to a thrilling climax.