THE stand-out first-round tie when the Waddilove Cup was drawn was holders Steeton at home to Aire-Wharfe League champions Collingham & Linton.
However, no-one could possibly have anticipated the drama that unfolded at Summerhill Lane.
Steeton, sent in, had three stands in the forties to reach 135-3, with overseas player Tremaine Dowrich (54) the standout batsman.
However, it was then that experienced spinner Toby Jacklin (5-17) weaved his magic, and it needed 37 from keeper Adam Smith at No.6 to help Steeton to 192.
The visitors were reduced to 47-3 in reply before a fourth-wicket partnership of 105 between Jacklin (60) and Tom Franklin (58).
Collingham seemed favourites then, but dogged Steeton forced a Super Over by restricting them to 192-7, with Collingham having first dibs.
Steeton skipper Stephen Pearson took it upon himself to bowl, and he only got through half his over as Franklin was stumped by Smith trying to take a single, and Dinura Gunawardena, the other opener, was run out when the ball was hit back to the bowler.
Cup rules state that the Super Over is complete if two wickets fall and, needing only four to win, Smith advanced down the track to hit Jacklin straight for a boundary off the first ball of Steeton’s reply to end the contest.
Stephen Pearson (bowling) produced a brilliant Super Over to ensure Waddilove Cup holders Steeton remain in this season's competition. (Image: John Heald.)
Division One leaders Addingham were the day’s top scorers among the 16 ties, making a mammoth 455-7 at home to third-tier front-runners Kirkstall Educational.
Ted Haggas scored an eye-catching 134 off just 59 balls, and after that brutal assault, a floored Kirkstall were dismissed for just 125 after tea to lose by a monumental 330 runs.
Will Atkins produced a memorable bowling display, taking 5-11 off 6.4 overs.
Horsforth, who are fifth in Division Two, can take great credit from their display at Premier Division leaders Otley, who made 249-7 after winning the toss.
Captain Josh Atkinson (47) and Ollie Halliday (82) added 104 for the third wicket, and teenager Jake Ross weighed in with 47, Brad Moritz doing well to take 3-48.
Rather than being fazed by the target, however, Horsforth were 162-1 at one stage and Otley must have been worried by the batting of classy opener Tom Colley, who struck 77 for the underdogs.
However, the wheels came off Horsforth’s challenge as Roby Lane (5-30) got twirling and they lost their last nine wickets for 34 to finish on 196.
Second-tier Bolton Villas put out last season’s runners-up Rawdon at All Alone Road, while Division One Guiseley matched that feat by defeating top-flight hosts Burley.
Visitors Rawdon made 160 after winning the toss, with opener Bevan West (45) batting well, before change bowlers Mahboob Hussain (3-35) and Yusuf Khan (3-0) wrestled back control.
All six Villas batters then made double figures in the successful reply, headed by Nachiket Verlekar’s 50 off a mere 17 balls, which included two fours and six sixes.
Guiseley won off the last ball of a high-scoring match, chasing down Burley’s 276 by scoring 277-3.
Another run-fest came at Old Leodiensians, who made 254 after winning the toss against Bingley Congs, Zane Waixel leading the way with 54 in a solid-looking card as Danny Pearson took 3-39.
Congs were seen home by skipper and keeper George Hicks, who made 121 not out off 108 balls, including 17 fours, in a six-wicket victory which was achieved inside 40 overs.
Ilkley’s batters were also in form, making 272-5 against struggling visitors Calverley, Woodie Luffman being out for 97.
James Bourke then took 3-22 and Rob Spivey 3-14 as Calverley were dismissed for 105.
Easy victories were also achieved by Saltaire, Pool, Horsforth Hall Park, Olicanian, Tong Park Esholt and third-tier Menston.
The latter trounced second-tier Harden by nine wickets, Fraser Oates taking 5-26 and then scoring 75 not out in his side’s victory.
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