Aire-Wharfe League: Bilton eye prize Otley scalp in search of Waddilove Cup final place

Bilton won the cup on three successive occasions between 2004-2006 and are aiming to end a nine-year drought in the competition.

However, the Harrogate outfit suffered an unexpected league defeat on Saturday with a four-wicket defeat against Guiseley.

Openers Victor Craven and Michael Donnelly made 63 and 50, respectively, but Bilton’s slow run-rate cost them dearly, as they finished on 182-4.

Guiseley lost their openers early on but James Davey’s 61 and an unbeaten 45 from Harrison Durkin pushed them to 183-6.

The result meant that Guiseley put breathing space between themselves and Ilkley, but they are by no means out of relegation danger.

League leaders Otley warmed up for the weekend’s cup semi-final with an 82-run win over Collingham after notching 215.

Teenager Nicholas Bulcock was in devastating form, finishing with 9-63 – after scoring an unbeaten 29 – as Collingham were skittled for 133.

Beckwithshaw are still hot on the heels of the league leaders after a nerve-jangling four-run win over Ilkley.

The second-placed side reached 237 before holding their opponents to 233-8.

Third-placed Kirkstall saw their title aspirations take a hit as they slumped to a 48-run defeat to mid-table Rawdon, who posted 267-5 before dismissing the opposition for 219 as George Myers took 4-53.

Basement side Follifoot secured a 13-run win over North Leeds, which was achieved by making 237-9 before pegging their rivals to 224 after a season’s best 5-42 from Alex Fox.

Having been docked 79 points for fielding an ineligible player, Follifoot looked odds on for the drop but they have won three in a row and are only 15 points short of safety.

Fifth-placed Burley’s cup preparations suffered a setback as they lost by 18 runs to Steeton, who opted to bat first.

Steeton were not wholly convincing and were dismissed for 221. In reply, Burley’s Richard Brook scored 54 but they finished on 203-7.

Burley will hope to bounce back with a home victory over Division Two leaders Horsforth in the cup at the weekend, as they look to emulate their performances in 2010, 2011 and 2013, when they were crowned winners.

Horsforth are looking to get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2002.

FIXTURES

Division One: North Leeds v Beckwithshaw; Ilkley v Bilton; Follifoot v Burley; Guiseley v Collingham.

Division Two: Pool v Knaresborough

Division Three: Bardsey v Hall Park

Reserve Division One: Bilton v Ilkley

Reserve Division Two: Harden v Follifoot; Beckwithshaw v Upper Wharfedale.

Reserve Division Three: Hall Park v Bardsey; Collingham v Thackley