THE Aire-Wharfe Cricket League is celebrating a wonderful double by its young cricketers.

The under-21s defeated the Bradford League to win the White Rose Trophy at Green Lane on Sunday, just hours after their under-11 cricketers had defeated Doncaster to win the Lord Taverner's Competition at Spofforth.

It was 21 years since the Aire-Wharfe last won the White Rose Trophy and a tremendous roar went up when skipper Mark McEneaney stepped forward to collect the trophy.

The victory was a reward for a mature performance which saw them exploit the carelessness of the Bradford League side to the full and win with some ease.

All-rounder Toby Jacklin was voted man of the match after taking three for 12 with his leg spin and making an unbeaten 41 as Aire-Wharfe overhauled Bradford's score of 160 all out with 9.5 overs to spare.

The Durham University student has been a revelation in the competition, but he wasn't in their original team for the first round.

League secretary Howard Clayton said: "Toby came into the side when Tom Hudson, our first choice leg spinner, had examinations commitments and he has done superbly right the way through.

"He certainly took his chance and helped us to end our 21 year wait to win the cup. It was a wonderful win by the team."

Skipper McEneaney saluted his players as they savoured defeating the holders.

"It shows what you can do with a great team spirit," he said.

"All through the competitions there has been a great spirit and it has really been important to our success.

"Bradford played a lot of silly shots and threw their wickets away, but that was because our bowlers created pressure and we took our catches.

"We also batted sensibly and it feels good to win. We dug in when we needed to at 97 for five, and we came through a difficult spell to win thanks to Toby Jacklin's fine innings."

Aire-Wharfe were certainly worthy winners, but even they must have been surprised with the reckless way so many Bradford batsmen got out.

Bradford had started briskly through Michael Nicholson (29) and Adam Patel (39), but Aire-Wharfe didn't panic.

When McEneaney rang the changes the success was stunning. Shane Etherington (3-41), Jacklin (3-12) in 9.5 overs of leg spin and Greg Pickles (2-44) sparked a decline in Bradford's fortunes which saw them dismissed for 160 in 43.5overs. It was a job well done by the Aire-Wharfe boys.

They knew that they only had to apply themselves with the bat to end their long wait to win the trophy.

The start they received from openers James Pickles and James Ward was just what was required.

While Follifoot's James Pickles struck the ball with great authority and dominated the bowling, Ward, of Pool, played very sensibly.

They shared a stand of 57 before Ward departed in controversial fashion. He drove a ball from off spinner Chris Marsden on to the shin of a Bradford fielder standing at short leg and it rebounded into the gloves of wicketkeeper Michael Nicholson.

After a lengthy discussion the umpires gave Ward out, and he was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Greg Pickles, who was also caught behind for a duck.

Skipper McEneaney was soon into his stride. He hit Marsden for two huge sixes. It appeared as if the Aire-Wharfe side were cruising to victory, but Bradford hit back with three quick blows.

Opener Pickles was dismissed by Ian Wardlaw for 48, and without addition McEneaney was dismissed by former Guiseley bowler Chris Thompson for 26.

When Wardlaw, easily the best of the Bradford batsmen, dismissed Mark Harrison for six, Aire-Wharfe were 97-5.

The situation called for cool heads and Jacklin and Tom James answered the call.

They batted with great sense and patience as they shared a stand of 52 to take their side to the brink of victory before Wardlaw had James caught by Mark Robertshaw to collect his third wicket.

Darren Simpson joined Jacklin and ensured that Aire-Wharfe completed their win without further loss.

Jacklin finished unbeaten on 41 and there was no doubting his right to be named man of the match.

He was engulfed by his team-mates once victory was achieved.

Also sporting a big smile was Shane Etherington of Burley, who came out on top in his battle with his brother, Scott, who was in the defeated Bradford side.

The Aire-Wharfe team delighted the good crowd which had turn up to reward the excellent efforts of the Green Lane club in staging the match.