Tong Park Esholt stun Bilton in cup KO (From Wharfedale Observer)

Danny Bailey leads Tong Park Esholt to cup shock against Bilton

4:20pm Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Sport By Sports Desk

Division Three side Tong Park Esholt pulled of a stunning WADDILOVE CUP preliminary-round victory to knock out Division One opponents Bilton, winners of the trophy for three years in a row from 2004.

It seemed an unlikely outcome when Park took to the field with only four first-team regulars because of holiday commitments but steady bowling from Brett Kinsey (3-27) and Will Murray (3-11) restricted Bilton to 139.

James Druce (20) and Ross Todd (21) kept hopes alive but when number six batsman Danny Bailey came to the wicket at 70-5, it still looked odds-on Bilton.

But Bailey crafted a superb 50 before being stumped and although that left final pair Kinsey and Martin Wildsmith still needing nine for victory, they managed to see it out.

Dave Pennett made sure there would be no giant-killing by Hall Park. The Guiseley skipper followed up a 6-18 spell with an unbeaten 31 as his team eased past the visitors’ 113 total for the loss of two wickets.

In the other ties, Woodhouse beat Illingworth (77) by eight wickets and Pool (122-4) proved too strong for Upper Wharfedale (117).

Thackley were never in the hunt in their BLACK SHEEP TROPHY match against Yorkshire Senior League outfit Woodhouse Grange.

The visitors raced to 249-5 before bowling out Aire-Wharfe League champions Thackley for 116.