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.

Wilkinson half-century sees off Harden

Mark Wilkinson’s side began the 2011 season in the best possible way after picking up a four-wicket victory at newly promoted Harden.

The skipper won the toss and chose to bowl on a green wicket that seemed to have missed out on the two weeks of solid sunshine that had been enjoyed in the rest of the country.

Liam Mulligan and Jamie Wilkinson were entrusted with the new ball, and it was Wilkinson who picked up the first scalp after Harden’s opener Allison chipped a full ball to debutant Lewis Bolton, who held onto a good catch.

Despite losing an early wicket, the home side’s young batsmen were looking to play some big shots and push singles.

However, this proved to be their downfall, as a superb ‘dummy’ from Charlie Davy confused the batsmen and left Paul Wilkinson with the relatively simple task of running out opener Wear for 33.

Harden lost their third wicket as Jamie Wilkinson swung one away from the new batsman and clipped the top of his off-stump.

Wickets continued to tumble as this time Davy ran out new batsman Trees for 9 to further show why he won the 2nd XI fielding prize in 2010, whilst Wilkinson picked up his third wicket as Bolton took his second catch of the match.

The final five wickets all fell to Mick Gray as Harden were bowled out for 170, which seemed a competitive if not a daunting total.

Otley’s reply began well with George Huntley and Graeme Wolfenden starting with boundaries, but Huntley soon fell after inexplicably shouldering arms to a straight ball when on ten.

Wolfenden and Paul Wilkinson soon followed him back to the pavilion after both were adjudged LBW, leaving the visitors on 34-3.

Captain Wilkinson and Bolton added 42 for the fourth wicket before the debutant was caught in the deep for 36.

Otley were soon five wickets down after Davy was run out after being left high and dry by his captain after a mix-up which saw both batsmen finish at the same end of the wicket.

Number 7 Mulligan dug in and supported Wilkinson before being bowled for 8 by a good Yorker which brought Jamie Wilkinson to the crease to join his captain.

The two shared in an unbroken stand of 62 to see Otley home with more than seven overs remaining.

Otley return to Cross Green next week to take on Kirkstall Educational.

Harden 2nd XI 170 (M .Gray 5-34, J. Wilkinson 3-75)
Otley 2nd XI 172-6 (M. Wilkinson 55*, L. Bolton 36, J. Wilkinson 31*)


The full scorecard can be found here.