Otley 40, Kendal 14

Their powerful forward play offered just the test coach Peter Clegg was looking for.

The Cumbrians brought a powerful squad while Otley were restricted to just two subs as holidays bit deep into their squad.

The two players who started on the bench, hooker Duncan Sayers and prop John Hall - now fully recovered from an injury which kept him out for much of last season - both had spells on the wing when Robert Whatmuff, was forced to leave the field.

He played with stitches in his head from a midweek training injury and was withdrawn with 20 minutes to go.

New boy Gareth Manuel lined up with Paul Williams in the second row and Jimmy Rule slotted in at number eight.

Both found their feet immediately as the pack settled well to their job on one of the hottest days of the year.

With Andy Brown still recovering from a recent nose operation his spot was taken by a scrum-half from Sandal, Matt Bacon.

He showed up well and had no trouble finding stand off Simon Binns with his passes.

Kendal opened the scoring after five minutes when Martin Armstrong went in under the posts following good ball retention. Paul Dodds coverted.

Otley always looked dangerous and the scoring chances came. Sam Gardner after 10 minutes, Nathan Bland (30) and Phil Greaves (37) and (40) went over for tries.

Binns was wide with the first conversion from the touchline but Ian Shuttleworth was successful with each of the others.

Whatmuff, showing a tidy turn of pace, crossed wide out six minutes into the second-half with Shuttleworth again adding the conversion.

Kendal replied with a touchdown by James Hadwin, again converted by Dodds.

Jon Hall drove over just before the end, this time Binns landing the conversion to seal a victory that fairly reflected Otley's superiority.

Blackburn are the visitors on Saturday when Otley's other new signings are expected to be on view.

Ilkley 14, Stockpor 38: Ilkley Rugby club were given the opportunity to test their mettle in a trial game against North 2 West league opponents who were on an overnight pre-season tour to savour the delights of the town and the Yorkshire Dales.

The hottest day of the year was to put the summer fitness programme to its fiercest test. Ilkley did look keen, fit and raring to go - a compliment to the work done in training.

It was a blessing that both teams had a surplus of players who were changed round at 20 minute intervals with well-earned drinks every ten minutes.

That the final try count was six to two against Ilkley was immaterial when viewed against the benefit of a full physical contact encounter against a very good side.

Ilkley were somewhat disadvantaged by a shortage of front five players and a lack of physical presence in these key areas told.

The Stockport opposite numbers were clearly bigger and stronger and considerably more experienced.

Notwithstanding all those who took part gave 100per cent effort and acquitted themselves well. Had it not been for some basic errors and bad choice of options Ilkley could easily have scored three or four more tries.

Coaches John Atkinson and Richard Midgeley will have seen areas in need of attention before the season kicks off in earnest in two weeks time.

The new additions to the Ilkley squad looked accomplished and fit. Ross Knight and Tim Rawlins both of whom played for Woodhouse Grove 1st XV the season before last, enjoyed their first taste of rugby at senior level.

Ilkley did however field experience galore in their back line. Thirty something year olds Sean Gilbert and Andy Hinchcliffe lined up with their younger colleagues.

New skipper Anthony Cadman controlled and distributed the ball well at stand-off. Last year's captain Ben MacDonald took up an unfamiliar role at flanker.

Once again evergreen Christopher Hems has been a regular attendee at training and still does not look anything but an accomplished ball winning back row forward. He will, no doubt, play a part in Ilkley's campaign this season.

It was the experienced Stockport lock who exhibited the most physical presence in terms of height and size.

He broke the deadlock after 15 minutes of a bruising opening, breaking through a number of tackle attempts to put the stand-off in to open the scoring.

He also contributed to at least three more of the Lancastrians' touchdowns. Stockport are useful all round side and should fair well in their league.

Ilkley's tries were scored by Cadman - after hacking through from a Stockport error - and by the pack after a really efficiently worked Ilkley rumble from a line-out in the corner.

Ilkley will have learned much and skipper Cadman now needs to galvanise his young team towards the league programme which opens with tough away fixtures at Ripon (September 7) and Heath (September 14). They play another warm-up game at old rivals Bradford Salem on August 31.

Aireborough Rugby Club held their annual barbecue and 'bring a friend' day on

Saturday to kick off the new season. Over 40 players took part in a light hearted 9-a-side competition with a dozen new faces turning up. Afterwards a barbecue was held for players and supporters in the comforts of the new facilities built over the last year at Nunroyd Park.

This season the first team will be led by Paul Exley with Martin Hemsley the vice captain. The second team will be captained by Andy Wood with assistance from veteran prop Steve Jones.

The season kicks off with a friendly next saturday at home to Sheffield Oaks with the first league encounter an away fixture against Wharfedale on September 14.

As ever new players are always welcome at Aireborough with training every Wednesday starting at 7pm. Anyone wanting to know more can contact James Kinghorn on 0113 2503451.