OTLEY set a new competition record in storming to their 13th Waddilove Cup triumph with a 190-run win over Tong Park Esholt in the final.

Put in to bat by their opponents, Otley immediately made their intentions clear as openers Jamie Pickering and Ben Morley put on 102 before Mick Scott had Morley caught for 52.

Scott struck again two overs later, bowling David Hester for five, but neither he nor any of the other Esholt bowlers found a way to contain Pickering and his new partner, skipper James Davies.

Pickering went on to score 154 not out, including 12 fours and four sixes, while man of the match Davies was even more aggressive, taking just 80 balls to make 145 while slamming 16 fours and nine sixes.

Davies was out with one ball to go, giving Chris Thompson the chance to round off the innings with Otley's 47th four.

The formidable 376-3 total was six runs higher than their own record in the Aire-Wharfe League knockout competition, set two years ago against New Rover when Pickering scored an unbeaten 158.

It was turning into a tough day at the office for Esholt – but to their credit, the club that looked as though they might go under when flooded out at Christmas showed plenty of the resolve for which they have been admired in recovering from that catastrophe

Despite losing two quick wickets, they made the Otley bowlers work for their victory. Fawad Maqsood struck 35 off 27 balls and put on 47 with Nick Flood (40).

Then in a defiant final flourish, number eight batsman Muhammad Khan took up the fight by cracking five fours and four sixes in scoring 54 off 39 deliveries.

It was the type of response that could well earn Tong Park Esholt promotion from Division Three this season, while triumphant Otley will now be hot favourites to clinch the league and cup double.