JACK LEANING did not know whether to laugh or cry after last week’s Specsavers County Championship defeat to Warwickshire on his home ground at York.

On the one hand, he was gutted to come out on the losing side in a hard-fought, enthralling contest which saw both sides on top at various stages before the visitors, deep into Thursday’s final session, chased 217 with three wickets remaining.

On the other, he was as proud as punch at the efforts of the Clifton Park club in showcasing their venue, while he also scored 65 in the second innings, a moment he will cherish.

Leaning’s start to the summer has somewhat mirrored Yorkshire’s - encouraging with room for improvement.

He has scored three fifties in 295 runs from seven games, including three half-centuries, all coming in crucial times in matches. The first two came in away wins at Hampshire and Kent.

“It is pleasing to score runs when the team’s under pressure,” he said.

“It’s something I’ve prided myself on certainly for the first part of my career. I’ve scored a lot of runs in tough scenarios and helped us get into a good position. To get back to that this year, with some vital sixties, seventies and eighties in tough positions, has been really good.

“I’m probably just lacking that one big hundred to put us into a really good position as a team. But if I carry on playing the way I am, hopefully it won’t be too far away.”

On last week’s innings, he said: “It was just nice to get off the mark after the first innings (duck) to be honest! To score some runs in front of a lot of friends and family and at my home club was a proud moment.”

York CC staged the Minster City’s first county game since 1890 and the first-ever at their Clifton Park home.

“It’s a massive achievement for the club,” said Leaning.

“First of all to be awarded with a game and feel it’s in safe hands. Then for it to go as well as it did, the pitch to hold up, the facilities to be top-drawer and the game to go into the last session of the last day, it was great.

“Unfortunately, they probably outplayed us in all three facets of the game.

“For me personally, I’d love to have a game here every year.

“It just showed how good outgrounds are. You can get a crowed of 3,000 in, which you rarely get at Headingley in the Championship, and it feels like a full ground.

“Like people say, it’s good to get cricket around the county. Maybe more people come who wouldn’t come to Headingley because it’s a bit different and new. But the club itself, I’m proud to say I play here.

“The amount of work they’ve put in - some haven’t slept for weeks - to see it come off, it’s been a massive success for the club.”

On Saturday, Leaning played for York in a Yorkshire Premier League North losing draw against Sheriff Hutton Bridge at Clifton Park. He opened the batting and was bowled for eight by Matthew Fisher (2-14 from five overs).

With the ball, Leaning (2-52 from 13) was at least able to gain revenge by getting Fisher caught for four.