PERSISTENT rain made it near-impossible that any cricket would take place on Saturday, but Otley CC had other ideas.

Their Division 1 match at home to Beckwithshaw was the only Aire-Wharfe League fixture that went ahead, albeit with reduced overs and nearly three hours after the original 1pm start time.

But it was a gamble that paid off for the reigning champions, who gained 17 points in the process.

The hosts posted 197-8 from their 23 overs, with James Davies (54) and Josh Atkinson (39) impressing as Oliver Hebblethwaite took 5-52.Peter Hotchkiss (47) and Alex Morrell (45) top-scored for Beckwithshaw, but despite a noble effort from Marcus Lynn (39 not out), they fell seven runs short of their target.

Clubs were also back in action in the Waddilove and Birtwhistle Cups on Sunday, after both competitions were postponed last season.

2019 champions Burley-in-Wharfedale started their Waddilove Cup defence with a 93-run triumph over Guiseley.

Nicholas Brook (48) and Joe Hall (47) saw the hosts post 219-7 from their 45 overs, with Rob Butterfield’s 35 in vain as a strong bowling charge led by Nicky Bulcock (3-31) reduced the visitors to 126 all out.

Ricky Palacio’s 130 not out stole the show as Addingham beat New Rover by two wickets at the Richmond Oval.

Openers Rohan Ratnalingam (74) and Adam Patel (58) put New Rover in complete control, but a century partnership between Palacio and Ben Brearely rescued Addingham’s innings from 34-3 to 135-4.

Darrell Robinson was on hand to see the visitors over the line, playing his part in a 54-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

Otley also comfortably progressed to Round Two, easing to a nine-wicket victory at home to Olicanian by dispatching the visitors’ total of 67 all out in just nine overs.

But it was disappointment for Ilkley, with the club’s poor start to the season continuing with a five-wicket defeat at home to Rawdon.

Sam Housam (61) and James Raper (56) helped the hosts to 203-8 from their 45 overs, with Joe Smith the best of the visiting bowlers with 4-46.After being set a revised target of 187 after a rain delay in their innings, Henry Scanlan’s 88 not out saw Rawdon to victory with just five balls remaining.

In the Birtwhistle Cup, an 83-run partnership between Richard Hey (49) and Jonah D’Arcy (46no) helped Addingham 2nds breeze past New Rover by eight wickets.Otley 2nds also started their cup campaign strong, with Graeme Wolfenden (48) and Chris Halliday (31 not out) seeing them to a six-wicket win away at Olicanian.Rawdon were a class above Ilkley, cruising to a 191-run victory thanks to Richard Porter (110no) and Joe Lupton (59). Sam Austin, Alex Robinson, and Wayne Martell claimed three wickets each as the visitors were bowled out for just 106.Elsewhere, Pool, Saltaire, and Guiseley booked their spots in the second round, but Menston lost by 155 runs at Bilton.