Aire-Wharfe League: Wild celebrations for Waddilove Cup winners Bilton

The Waddilove Cup is back with Bilton CC, with batsman Ryan Bradshaw saluting a case of ‘mission accomplished’ on the hosts’ perfect day.
The Bilton team line-up before the Waddilove Cup finalThe Bilton team line-up before the Waddilove Cup final
The Bilton team line-up before the Waddilove Cup final

Four-time Waddilove Cup winners Bilton had not bagged their favourite trophy since completing a hat-trick of cup wins in 2006 but were handed the perfect incentive for 2015 with the final staged at Bilton Lane.

And the side skippered by first season captain Vic Craven made no mistake in easily seeing off Burley-in-Wharfedale who were blitzed for 141 and overhauled at 143-2.

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Bradshaw said: “The club won it three years in a row with the last one being in 2006 so they did a hat-trick of the cups which is obviously a pretty big feat.

“The cup means a lot to the club, obviously because they have had a lot of success in it in the past and having the cup final at Bilton we have been looking forward to that all season.

“It was one of our main objectives to get to the final - to make sure we could put on a good show and we are very proud that we got there.

“The Waddilove Cup is known for its local derbies and for being at the heart of the community and there was a decent crowd there .

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“I think over 400 people came to watch and it was just a really good day.

“It was jam packed with a great atmosphere and the Burley lot made a great day of it by bringing a coach over with some great support.

“It just had a real good feel about the place.

“My son who plays for our U9s was also mascot for the day and the club made him feel very welcome.

“He idolises the players and walked up with them to the toss and there was just a real good friendly atmosphere.”

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Burley won that toss and elected to bat but ousted for 141 with man of the match Will Liddle taking three wickets during the middle overs.

Craven (50) and Mick Donnelly (55) then put on an opening stand of 85 to steer Bilton towards a winning 143-2 in which number four batsman Bradshaw was not even required to get off the mark.

Cue the celebrations, with no added complications. Bradshaw admitted: “We stayed in the clubhouse until we got kicked out, drinking out of the cup as you do.

“Then we stumbled home; that’s the good thing about playing at my local club - it’s just a short walk home!”

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