SHERIFF Hutton Bridge beat Dunnington by nine runs to be crowned Burn & Company Solicitors U9 play-off champions, writes Spencer Brown.

In a competitive final at Osbaldwick, Bridge’s total of 267-5 ultimately proved strong enough.

Gabriel McGill starred with 25, while the pick of Dunnington’s bowlers were Harrison Mussell (2- 3) and Joseph Richardson (2-8).

In reply, Dunnington amassed 258-8 with Finlay Smith making 13 and J Mould 1-6 for Bridge, but a succession of run outs cost Dunnington dearly as they fell just nine runs short.

Dunnington had earlier reached the final by beating Acomb, thanks largely to Mussell (25) and Richardson (12) in their total of 284-4.

Dan Watkinson made 18 in reply for Acomb, but the Dunnington bowlers – led by Mussell (2-9) – restricted them to 278-5.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge had earned their final spot after proving too strong for Stamford Bridge.

They posted a mammoth 348-3 thanks to 43 from McGill and J Browne’s 32, to which Stamford Bridge replied with 230-7, of which Matthew Macfarlane made 13 and Daniel Durkin eight.

In the third place play-off between Acomb and Stamford Bridge, Acomb came out on top to finish third for the second year in succession.

Their 346-1 proved insurmountable for Bridge, who recorded 249-6.

Charlie Brooks (35), Dan Watkinson (24), Jo Olney (19) and Nick Hutton (14) piled on the runs for Acomb, while Macfarlane (21), William Dixon (10) and Ben Beard (10) led the Bridge riposte.