OTLIENSIANS.........18

WEST PARK...........8

OTLIENSIANS deservedly won this derby in the Aire-Wharfe Cup against opposition three leagues higher.

Park opened pressurising Otliensians' defence but when Dave Smith relieved this with some fine touch kicking Otliensians were awarded a penalty some distance out. Will Haines made no mistake to put his side ahead.

This lifted Otliensians who then camped in the visitors' 22 and in this period added a well-worked try which was finished by Mark Stevens with a strong drive over the line following good work by Peter Gillson and a strong break by Aidy Crossfield. Haines added the conversion.

Park then came more into the game and were looking dangerous when spreading it wide.Their increased attacking play and pressure brought them a penalty after 25 minutes.

However, it was Otliensians who scored the next try following an excellent penalty kick into the corner by Dave Smith where Tony Twist forced his way over making it 15-3 at half-time.

Otliensians' forwards had dominated the first-half. Chris Baldwin and Andy Walton were brought on for the second-half for Matthew Payne and Richard Paley who had worked ceaselessly. Walton was soon in the action backing up well a fine break by Twist who was also covering and tackling effectively.

'Mescher' Smith was another forward to make a good break following an interception. He unselfishly shipped the ball when clear but the move came to nothing.

Play was fairly indecisive for much of the second-half. Otliensians added a Haines penalty but a late rally by Park, initially without teeth, eventually brought them a consolation try on the final whistle. Otliensians were deserved winners with the forwards dominant throughout in all phases.

l Otliensians meet old rivals Yarnbury at home in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, April 24, kick-off 6-30 pm.

OTLIENSIANS............3

HEATH.....................15

Otliensians lost to t of-of-the-table Heath with a much-changed side from the mid-week cup team.

The game was only a few minutes old when Heath put the first points on the board with a break from virtually their own line. Otliensians' cover was unable to prevent a try under the posts which was converted.

Otliensians immediately came back and for 20 minutes pressurised spending the whole period within the visitors' 22. Whilst unable to break the defensive wall their pressure did lead to a penalty converted by Haines.

Although the home forwards were dominant Heath gradually came more into the game with their backs looking dangerous with the relatively smaller amount of possession they were able to obtain.

There was some good cover and hard tackling by the Otliensian backs, in particular Bawden, Gumbs and Hayward. As Heath became sharper round the fringes the home line in turn came under pressure with Dave Smith making several long relieving touch kicks. At half-time Heath led 7-3.

The second-half saw Fawell replace Gumbs and shortly into the half Walton replaced Rockett who was suffering from a groin strain. Twist moved to hooker.

Otliensians were now under pressure but were let off when two kickable penalties went astray.

A lot of hard work was being put in by the front five in tight and loose with Dave Roberts and 'Mescher' Smith anchoring the scrums. Tenniswood and Smith got some good line-out possession but the backs were being closed down quickly. Fifteen minutes into the half a relieving kick did not quite make touch and was collected by the full-back who caught the defence asleep scything down the wing and some half-hearted tackling let Heath in to score.

Heath kept the pressure on and forced another penalty which was converted.

l On Saturday Otliensians have their inter-club sevens at Pool Road, usually an entertaining and fun afternoon. Their final league game is against Twickenham Tetley Vase finalists Malton and Norton at home on April 28 kick-off 3 pm.

Heath A...........................5

Otliensians A................10

Otliensians Seconds travelled to Heath looking to reverse the result of November when they lost 13-16. Match Manager Richard Smith's side exerted early pressure and were held up on the Heath line unable to ground the ball. The Referee awarded a penalty but this was missed.

The Otliensians' forwards dominated with excellent line-out work from Chris Hayward and good work in the rucks and mauls with Peter Bonner and Darren Hardie prominent. However, they were unable to break down the Heath defence and the score was 0-0 at half-time.

Early in the second-half good attacking play soon had Heath on the back foot again and Mattie Tenniswood gave the visitors the lead with a penalty from in front of the posts. Heath hit back when a defensive slip allowed their winger to score an unconverted try.

Otliensians mounted several attacks through the forwards with Andy Rayner, Hardie and Bonner to the fore and after 65 minutes from one of these attacks Bonner scored. Otliensians maintained their dominance for the rest of the game but were unable to increase their lead.

The forwards were excellent throughout and in the tight several balls were taken against the head. The tackling was good, particularly from Tony Collins and Craig Adamson but the back play could be sharper. They must learn to pass the ball in front of the receiver.

With Wharfedale unable to raise a team to travel to Otliensians a replacement game could not be found for the third team.

Club Dinner

Otliensians held their annual dinner on the now traditional day, Maunday Thursday. A good mixture of players, members and guests, had an enjoyable evening with Tony Williams, past President of the Yorkshire RFU, and comedian Andy Swallow from Guiseley as the speakers.

Guests from Aireborough, Otley and West Park Rugby clubs, together with Ken Barker from the Referees' Society were introduced by President, Adrian Normanton, and past President John Churchman was MC for the evening.

Chairman, Norman Coates, presented the Reg Marshall Trophy for the player who had contributed most to the Club over the year to the first team member and Team Secretary, Dave Roberts.

Coach Hugh Gumbs, presented the first XV Player-of-the-Year award to Will Haines, with Steve Lofthouse and Chris Myers receiving similar awards for the junior teams.

Club Sevens

On Saturday the club hold its annual internal sevens tournament. Players should arrive by 1.30 pm for kick-off at 2pm.