STEETON will face reigning champions Rawdon in the final of the Aire-Wharfe League’s Waddilove Cup at Olicanian on 7 August.

The lowest-ranked side left in this year’s competition, the Keighley-based side have been the surprise package this season, with Division 1 leaders Otley the latest team to fall victim to the Summerhill Laners.

Electing to bat, Steeton started like a train, with Mat Nutter and wicketkeeper Jack Ramage (46) putting on 143 for the first wicket, the former hitting 17 fours and three sixes on his way to an impressive 109 from just 78 deliveries.

Competition top-scorer James Robinson also chipped in with 55, before skipper Stevie Pearson (19) and Paul Quinlan (15) saw the visitors finish on a competitive 256-6 from their 45 overs.

Sam Kellett, James Davies, and Damon Reeve shared the wickets, taking two apiece.

Quinlan (2-41) drew first blood to dismiss the big-hitting Alex Atkinson for 17 in the third over as Otley’s run chase got off to a slow start, despite Josh Atkinson (33) and Ollie Halliday (32) chipping in with valuable runs down the order.

James Davies (59) was the only other batter to offer much resistance to Steeton’s bowlers as wickets fell at the other end, Pearson (4-48) and James McDonald (3-34) cleaning up with the ball to bowl the hosts out for 222 in reply.

They will face holders Rawdon, who progressed in emphatic fashion with a 158-run win against Ilkley at Larkfield Road.

Ben Morley’s decision to bat was a good one, with the Rawdon skipper making 59 in an 88-run partnership with Jake Hodges (36) for the first wicket.

None of the batters thereafter averaged less than a strike rate of 115, with wicketkeeper James Dobson hitting 85 from 73 deliveries, George Myers 28 from 21, and Joe Smith 75 from 65 as they finished on 307-5.

Rob Spivey (2-56) proved the most effective wicket-taker, while Terry Pattinson assisted with a catch and a run-out.

Spivey (37) then proved as good as it got for Ilkley as George Myers (3-12), Jake Hodges (2-27), and Nathan Goldthorp (2-43) ensured that wickets fell at regular intervals in their reply of just 149.

Tasmanian Tyler Willmott also contributed with a run-out and figures of 1-9 from his four overs.