LEADERS York Cricket Club are reeling after suffering their first Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League defeat in two years.

The reigning champions were thrashed by Yorkshire Academy at Clifton Park on Saturday, skittled for only 85 en route to a 148-run reverse.

The loss saw rivals Cleethorpes close to within eight points with a game in hand, while Rotherham are a point further back with two games in hand.

The hosts were dismissed inside 24 overs, with only three batsmen reaching double figures. They had no answer to the Academy opening pace pairing of youngster James Wainman (4-12) and veteran John Blain (4-37).

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first, with in-form opener Alex Lees (62) leading the way in partnership with George Ross (78), the pair adding 87 for the second wicket.

Nick Kay (2-28) got the breakthrough, bowling Lees with the total on 116, and then had Heworth teenager Jack Leaning caught for 21 to make it 160-3.

The scholars looked set for a sizeable total on 193 with ten overs left and Ross still at the crease.

Dan Woods (3-75) began York’s fightback, and when Tom Pringle (4-47) dismissed Ross, the first of three stumpings for ’keeper Nigel Durham, the home side appeared to be in the ascendancy.

That was confirmed as the last five wickets fell for only 40 runs.

Last man Ben Coad was caught in the deep by Alex Collins from the final ball of the 55th over and the visitors were 233 all out.

However, only Duncan Snell (19) of York’s top six made double figures as Wainman and Blain reduced the leaders to 37-5 inside 12 overs. Both received good support from Edward Wilson, who gave an excellent demonstration behind the wicket in taking four catches.

Marcus Wood (15) offered hope of an unlikely recovery before being bowled by Blain and the scoreboard showed 55-8.

Jake Murphy (24) provided some late entertainment before being last out, caught off Coad (2-14).

Yesterday, York’s home tie with Barnsley in round one of the Yorkshire League Knockout Cup was washed out with the visitors on 56-4 after 19 overs. The game will now be played next Sunday (noon).