Otley run in tries at will against Blackburn

Blackburn 7

NORTH Two West side Blackburn accepted an invitation to play at Cross Green on Saturday and looked a useful outfit during a hard-fought first-half but they ran out of stamina after the break and Otley ran in tries at will.

Hooker Mark Luffman, prop Chris Jackson and second row Gareth Manuel and Jimmy Rule, playing at No 8 until he retired with a suspected hamstring injury, had another run out and they were joined by the returning Dan Clappison playing outside Matt Bacon alongside new faces Neil Law at centre, second row Jason Oakes, and ex-Blaydon and ex-Morley No 7 Peter Osbourne.

Jackson was over within five minutes to be followed at regular intervals by Oakes, Will Darby and Sam Gardner, Clappison converting all but the first, before Blackburn finished off a good spell of pressure on the home line. Centre Rick Shiels burst through for No 10 Steve Harry to convert to leave a half-time score of 26-7.

Andy Brown took up his position on the resumption and soon made his presence felt, Mark Kirkby benefiting when he streaked away for two quick tries and got a third nine minutes later.

After this he gave way to colt Kristian Keinhorst who quickly showed that he was not overawed in this company, proving to be elusive and possessing a good turn of pace.

Having played at Northampton with Phil Greaves before joining Sheffield Eagles and then having a four-year stint with Wakefield Wildcats, the substantially built Neil Law slotted in at centre alongside Mark Billington with ease.

His powerful running brought him a brace of tries. Osbourne, Brown, Jackson and Duncan Sayers stole a try each while Gardner notched his second.

Clappison was successful with six more conversions before the referee called for an early finish.

Sunday game

Otley's first League game, re-arranged for Sunday with a 2pm start, will be a different kettle of fish with Rotherham desperate to make sure that they are in contention for promotion.

Watchers will recall that it was a close call last season when they were held to 9-18 at Cross Green.