Aire-Wharfe League: Beckwithshaw lose out to Otley in final day title showdown

Otley players celebrate at the end of the game

Otley snatched the Division One title away from Beckwithshaw in dramatic fashion on a rain-affected final day showdown on Saturday.

Having gone into the weekend in second place, Jamie Pickering’s 109 from just 67 balls proved decisive for Otley as they leapfrogged Beckwithshaw into top spot courtesy of a hard-fought 55-run triumph away from home.

In a match reduced to 20 overs a side, Otley were stuck in by the home team.

Undeterred, they smashed their way to 172-3 from the 20 overs.

In Beckwithshaw’s reply, Alex Lilley’s men could only manage 117-5, with Miles Buller and Ben Quick both unbeaten on 27 .

Fourth-placed Bilton were forced to spend the afternoon watching the rainfall as their home tie against third-placed Kirkstall was a wash out.

Follifoot’s final game in the top tier against fellow doomed Guiseley fell to a similar fate.

Foot’s relegation had already been confirmed before the final day of the season, after the club were hit by a 77-point deduction earlier in the campaign for fielding ineligible overseas player Damien Lawrence.

Beckwithshaw's Ishi Hussain. (1509124AM2)

Collingham eased the victory in their final game at home to Steeton. Steeton were skittled for 86 batting first as youngster Chris Bridge bagged 5-18 and Toby Jacklin nabbed 5-9 at the other end.

Collingham ultimately cruised home by eight wickets as they finished the season in sixth place.

Skipton won the promotion race in Division Two to follow champions Horsforth up to the top division.

Eighth-placed Knaresborough relegated Tong Park Esholt on the final day in another contest with reduced overs. Tong chose to bat first, but struggled to 77-8 in their 20 overs as Neil Marhsall picked up 4-10 from three overs.

Knaresborough didn’t find the going much easier in response but David Girling proved to be the difference between the two teams.

He hit 45 not out to guide Knaresborough over the line with three wickets and 14 balls to spare.

Bardsey wrapped up the season third bottom of Division Three following a 51-run defeat at home to Calverley.

Graham Hopton’s 46 was in vain as Bardsey were all out on 116, in reply to 167-9.