Otley have opportunity to prove the real deal

As players sat and watched the rain wash away their afternoon’s cricket for the third time this season, some may have mused how a country with such unpredictable summers ever invented the great game.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jun 2014, 08:18 BST

The cancellations included a match that may have given a pointer towards the fate of this season’s title, leaders Otley against third-placed Steeton.

Otley are the only unbeaten side in the division and have opened a 17-point lead, including a win over second-placed Kirkstall but it is noticeable that their most consistent batsman is captain and middle-order James Davies.

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Otley were in contention this time last year but then went on a poor run that garnered only two points from a possible 30. The next three weeks when they face sides in the bottom half of the table may provide the clue to their chances of being champions for the first time since 1993.

Kirkstall have been strengthened by the arrival of Eugene Burzler from Pudsey Congs and Tom Webb from Baildon but as well as losing to Otley, they came off second best to Guiseley and need to do better against their main rivals if they are to be in the mix.

With Steeton inconsistent, Guiseley may be the side most likely to test Otley. With Dave Pennett moving to Ilkley, captain Alex Bell and Callum Fraser now living in London, and overseas star Tallan Wright unable to return because of injury, they made a somewhat tentative start.

But they have made good signings in last season’s Division Two top bowler Nasir Jamal from Thackey and Ben Burkill from Harden, and South African Brian Jackson who has quickly shown his class and is averaging 80 at almost a run a ball.

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