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.

Aryan Girish and Adam Slater took four wickets each to help Alwoodley to victory at home to Skipton.

Luke Facey (61) helped the visitors to 173 all out, with Adam Patterson (44no) and Kashif Rehman (34) top-scoring for the hosts who got over the line with overs to spare.

Jack Taylor (81) helped Old Leodiensians post 292-9 at Harden, running out winners by 45 runs despite a fantastic 70 not out from Mark Portlock.

Kirkstall cruised past Shadwell by 107 runs, with Ben Fitzmaurice scoring 11x4 and 1x6 on his way to a fantastic 90 not out. Adam Kelly, Calum Oliver, and Harry Reynolds all claimed three wickets for Kirkstall as the visitors fell to 130 all out.

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 Calverley, with Bilal Hamid, Mustahsan Ali Shah, and Awaise Hussain all scoring half-centuries to help Saltaire to a mammoth 306-9 at Victoria Park.

The great British weather left the home side needing to reach 218 from 26 overs but some excellent fielding saw them manage only 82-6 and fall well short of their target.

In the Birtwhistle Cup, Chris Dawson (117no) and Paul Cannings (101no) saw Bilton post 258-1 and ease past Menston by 155 runs.

Cannings achieved his century in just 49 balls – scoring 11x4 and 5x6 – with Matt Giles taking 4-19 to ensure Menston never came close in their reply.

Anil Chana (57no) and James Burnett (41) helped North Leeds 2nds beat Beckwithshaw by six wickets at the Stag Den.

Matthew Grant (44) was the standout for the hosts, with the majority of his teammates failing to reach double figures, as North Leeds dominated with both bat and ball.

Elsewhere, Collingham & Linton and reigning champions Otley made it through to the second round, but Green Lane bowed out after losing by 17 runs at home to Tong Park.