Otley set sights on title again

9:52am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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Otley turned the tables on Adel to book a place in the semi-finals and continue a magnificent Waddilove Cup tradition.

This will be their 26th last-four appearance and they have previously reached 17 finals, winning the cup a record 11 times.

Otley were runners up two years ago but have to look back to 1988 for their last title, when they clinched the trophy by beating Addingham for the second successive year. That was their third triumph in four years.

Having been skittled out for 88 by Adel on Saturday, Otley did not enter the quarter-final with great confidence the following day.

But Gary Thompson followed up Saturday’s 45 not out with a half-century and this time found support from Sam Smith (37) in a total of 178 for seven.

Apart from Dave Standring (38), Adel struggled against the accuracy of Adam Vale (3-28) and Anthony Giles (3-31) and were dismissed for 131.

Otley will have to wait until the weekend to see who they meet in the semi-finals as Calverley’s match with Bilton was postponed because of the conditions.

The second semi will pitch Green Lane against new favourites Kirkstall Educational after their wins over Guiseley and Rawdon respectively.

Neil Britton (3-6) and Joe Pleasance (2-7) were the main destroyers of Aire-Wharfe League leaders Guiseley, who were bowled out for 70 with only Dean Russ (25) making any impact. Vivek Mahajan (43no) led the victorious chase.

For the second day in a row, Rawdon found Kirkstall too hot to handle. Mark McEneaney (38) received little support and Rawdon’s 112 was far too low to defend.

Andrew Siddall followed up a spell of three for eight with a top score of 33 as Kirkstall went through with five wickets to spare.