Steeton see off Otley as they aim to win Waddilove Cup again

Winners for the past two seasons as a second-tier club, they have won through to a third successive final, beating runaway Aire-Wharfe League leaders Otley by 11 runs at Cross Green, despite missing four key players, although their second teamers stepped up to the plate.

Steeton, who were without all-rounders Paul Quinlan and Ben Hemsley, batter Luke Chapman and spinner Ewan Johnston, will now face fellow top-tier side Horsforth Hall Park in the final on Sunday, August 4 at Bilton.

However, Steeton, who were promoted last season, could win the trophy and be relegated from the Premier Division in the same season, with their skipper Steve Pearson saying: “It is fine margins. We are winning in the cup but just losing out in the league.”

Sent in, Steeton scored 175-9 off their reduced 32 overs and then restricted Otley to 164 in what was a repeat of the semi-final from 2022.

James Robinson scored a half-century for the Summerhill Laners and was well supported by Pearson, Adam Smith and second-teamer Adam Hardwick.

James Macdonald - another second-teamer - then bowled well to dismiss ‘gun’ openers Alex Atkinson and Ben Morley when Otley batted.

Ben Morley's early dismissal was key to Steeton's victory. (Image: Richard Leach.)

Hardwick and overseas player Tremaine Dowrich then bowled tightly before Robinson took three wickets to help Steeton over the line.

They have now won 14 successive Waddilove ties and are bidding to become only the fifth side to win the tournament three years in a row, and the first since Guiseley over two decades ago.

If Steeton’s victory was narrow, Hall Park’s triumph was an emphatic as they come, scoring 257-6, having been 17-4, at home to Addingham after being sent in and then toppling the visitors for just 67 for a 190-run victory margin.