STEETON have been beaten in a high-scoring Birtwhistle Cup semi-final.

Visitors Rawdon scored 267 runs in their 45 overs, and in reply Steeton fell only 13 runs short.

Guiseley won the other semi-final, making 145-9 at Otley before dismissing the hosts for 116.

Meanwhile, in the Waddilove Cup, Otley’s dream of lifting the cup for a record 11th time remain on track after they booked a place in the final by beating Guiseley by 44 runs.

Most of the credit goes to David Hester, who only joined from Lightcliffe last month.

The former Pudsey St Lawrence batsman hit ten fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 99 and held the innings together when it looked as though Guiseley were going to end it early.

Otley were going along steadily when Bradley Reeve trapped dangerman James Davies lbw for 14 and, within six balls, Chris Wain had picked up two more victims to leave Otley on 77-6.

But Hester, put on 39 with James Wilcock, 67 with Paul Nicholson and 31 with Ricky Halloran to ease Otley to 214-9.

A second-wicket stand of 66 between Alex Bell (35) and Brian Jackson (40) put the home side on track but after George Huntley had Jackson caught behind by Nicholson, only James Davey (30) managed to threaten the attack and Guiseley were 170-7 when they ran out of time.

Otley haven’t won the trophy since 1988 and they still have to overcome the hurdle of Collingham in the final on August 10.

Collingham were given a fright by Second Division Adel, who bowled them out for 124, reduced to a target of 108 after a rain break. After 49 from opener Ben Quirk, they needed just 24 off six overs with five wickets left, but two quick wickets turned the tide.

As they went into the final over, they needed 11 to win but Toby Jacklin, who had taken a wicket with the first ball of the innings, removed the final man to clinch the win.