Just what the doctor ordered

Otley came away with two points from a well fought game at Cross Green against Kirkstall Educational.

On a wicket that was being described before the match as 'a road', Liam Mulligan and Jamie Wilkinson took the new ball, and Wilkinson quickly induced an edge from Mickey Missett, with Tom Maston taking the catch.

At the other end, however, Mulligan struggled and was replaced by Gregor Sutherland, who found the going just as tough.

He would have been right to feel aggrieved when his third over was hit for 25 after Tony Lazarus spilled two opportunities to remove the vistors' key batsman.

Mick Gray and Declan Adams were soon into the attack and began to slow the scoring rate.

Gray picked up a wicket as the batsmen tried to keep up with the early rate, and after reaching his hundred, Kirkstall's opener was run out after Adams executed a direct hit off his own bowling.

The rest of vistors' batting line-up offered little as Wilkinson returned to pick up a further three wickets whilst Gray completed his own 4-for.

234 looked very gettable considering the start the visitors had made, and Lazarus and Keith Pullan began the chase well.

Pullan was eventually the first wicket to fall as he played on from the bowling of Holly Richardson for 21, but Lazarus and Charlie Davy quickly got into their stride, taking one over for 26.

A change of bowling saw Lazarus adjudged LBW, whilst Sutherland fell two balls later when he was bowled by an almost unplayable delivery.

Mulligan arrived at the crease, and along with Davy he kept the scoreboard ticking over until the left-hander picked out a fielder with a drive that on another day would have flown to the boundary.

That brought Chris Keddle to the crease, but his innings was ended by an unbelievable catch in the covers.

Mulligan and Wilkinson fell soon after and it looked as if James Tebby and captain Gray would have to see the rest of the innings out for a draw.

However, aided by 57 extras in the innings and some aggressive stroke play, the two right-handers started to ignite dreams of a famous victory.

Richardson returned from the cemetery end with three overs left and bowled Gray meaning that Tebby and Maston were left to see out the final couple of overs to pick up two points.

Tebby finished unbeaten on 44 as the home side ended on 224 for 8.

Mark Wilkinson returns next week to captain the side as they take on last year's champions Steeton at Cross Green.

Kirkstall Educational 2nd XI 239 (M.Gray 4-46, J.Wilkinson 4-61)
Otley 2nd XI 224-8 (J.Tebby 44*)

The full scorecard can be found here.