Bilton 'quietly' confident
CAPTAIN Paul Cannings will become only the fourth captain in Bilton's history to lift the Waddilove Cup on Sunday if his side beat the odds and defeat favourites Burley in the Aire Wharfe showcase (2pm).
The clash will see the current Division One and Division Two leaders go head-to-head at Rawdon CC, with the Bilton Lane skipper looking to write his name into the record books.
It’s the first time a Division Two outfit has reached the final since Hall Park were beaten by Guiseley in 2002.
The previous decade proved a fruitful one for Bilton in the competition with victories in 2004 and 2005 under Toby Drummond and again in 2006 led by current playing all-rounder Andy Walker.
Cannings knows his side will have to be at their best to lift their fifth Waddilove but is quietly confident his men can upset the applecart.
“We are delighted to have made it to the final,” he said.
“There is a real sense of excitement around the club and we are hoping to secure the club’s fifth Waddilove Cup final victory. But our opponents are currently top of Division One so we know it will be a tough game.
“We go into the game as underdogs with no pressure on us but with our recent form the side is in confident mood so it should be a good game.
“At the start of the season the focus was on securing promotion and while progressing to the cup final has been a great achievement for the club ,we will be focusing on taking one step closer to securing promotion on Saturday before we start looking too closely at the cup final game.”
Bilton are currently chasing a league and cup double this season. But so are Burley, who have emerged as strong candidates to clinch the top flight title and pip Ben Quick’s Beckwithshaw to the championship.
Club captain Mark Harrison, like his Bilton counterpart, is looking forward with relish to the contest.
Speaking to the Advertiser this week he said he is wary of Cannings’ side who he believes are a “unknown quantity,”
But he feels his West Yorkshire outfit riding the crest of the wave at the moment and says Burley hold no fear heading into the contest.
“We’re all ready for it,” he said.
“It’s going to be a good game for the spectators. It’s a game between two sides playing some really good cricket at the moment.
“We expect Bilton to be up for it but so are we.
“It’s been a while since we last played them.
“We know one or two of their players who we’ve played against over the seasons.
“There’s Andy Walker and Darren Simpson, two quality spinners. They’ve got some good seamers too just like ourselves. Paul Cannings has been there for a long time and they’ve got Phil Timmens who everyone is raving about.
“They’re in form but so are we. We’ve become the surprise team in our division this season, we’ve just got to keep it going.”
Harrison’s side is packed with a wealth of experience and youth.
Wicketkeeper Richard Brook played in Burley’s last final appearance in their victory over Guiseley in 2000. The captain also has a trick up his sleeve he hopes will shine on the day.
“Our overseas Jason Wright has been doing really well this season,” he added.
“He’s definitely one to watch. He bowls with a bit of pace and hits the ball really hard when he gets it. But we’ve got a good mix of youth and experience this season which just seems to be working.”
Bilton will continue their quest for the Division Two title tomorrow away at Bolton Villas (1pm start). On Saturday they thrashed title rivals Harden by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 72 thanks to Phil Timmens (5-35) and Rashid Ayoub (5-37). Timmens was trapped lbw in reply, his third golden duck against Harden this season. But Jaz Leggett (37no) and Darren Blenkiron (33no) saw Bilton home.
Paul Angove’s FOLLIFOOT are up to second in the division after a superb run of results. They’ll go into tomorrow’s home clash against Illingworth eyeing another six-points before their crunch trip to Bilton in eight days’ time.
On Saturday Nick Louden took 4-23 to restrict local rivals KNARESBOROUGH to 169-8, Adam Pryor (62) the mainstay of the innings. In response James Ford batted beautifully for his 83 not out with support from Nick Robinson (33) as ‘Foot closed on a winning 170-4.
Tomorrow Jonathon Corcoran’s side welcome Steeton to Aspin Lane.
In Division One BECKWITHSHAW will be hoping Kirkstall Education do them a favour tomorrow in their clash against leaders Burley.
Ben Quick’s side travel to Guiseley tomorrow looking to build on Saturday’s excellent run chase against Jos Siddal’s men.
All looked to to be good for Kirkstall after they posted a competitive 219-8, Stu Hudson taking 3-61 against his old side.
But John Inglis showed his class in reply to smack 102 with Phil Critchley also making 70 not out to see ‘Shaw home to a magnificent nine wicket win.
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Weather for Harrogate
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
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