OTLEY set a new competition record in storming to their 13th Waddilove Cup triumph with a 190-run win over Tong Park Esholt.

Put into bat by their opponents, Otley immediately made their intentions clear with openers Jamie Pickering and Ben Morley putting on 102 before Mick Scott had Morley caught for 52.

Scott struck again two overs later, bowling David Hester for five, but neither he nor any of the other Esholt bowlers found a way to contain Pickering and his new partner, skipper James Davies.

Pickering went on to score 154no, including 12 fours and four sixes, while man of the match Davies was even more aggressive, taking just 80 balls to make 145 and slamming 16 fours and nine sixes.

He was out with one ball to go, giving Chris Thompson the chance to round off the innings with Otley’s 47th four.

Their 376-3 total was six higher than their own cup record, set two years ago against New Rover, when Pickering scored 158no.

It was turning into a tough day at the office for Third Division Esholt but to their credit, the side that looked as though it might go under when flooded out at Christmas, showed plenty of the resolve for which they have been admired in recovering from that catastrophe

Despite losing two quick wickets, they made the Otley bowlers work for their victory. Fawad Maqsood hit 35 in 27 balls and put on 47 with Nick Flood (40).

And in a defiant final flourish, No8 Muhammad Khan took up the fight, cracking five fours and four sixes in scoring 54 in 39 balls as Tong Park finished on 186.

It was the type of response that could well earn Tong Park Esholt promotion from Division Three this season while triumphant Otley will now be hot favourites to clinch the league and cup double.