Otley are disappointed

Moseley.......38

THE Otley players will be disappointed with their performance last Saturday. They were never so far behind Moseley as their play in the last quarter, indeed throughout the match in flashes, amply demonstrated.

There is no doubt there are going to be lessons to learn as the season progresses and they were given one by a street-wise side who took their opportunities but did not present so many to the opposition by trying to create openings which held such a high risk factor.

A fast track signing saw Richard Whiley come in at hooker as Duncan Sayers joined the long list of injured which currently stands at full-back, wing, two back row, two second row and an entire front row.

Andy Brown was soon in evidence scurrying through but a promising position was lost when Simon Hawkins was adjudged to be hanging on after the tackle, something Mr Fisher was keen on throughout but was not picked up quickly enough.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring when a drive from a line-out following a penalty opened the defence for winger Rod Martin to go over, fly-half Ben Harvey converting.

Another blind-side break by Brown turned the defence and slick handling took them close but the visitors were able to kill the ball to restrict the danger to a penalty knocked over by James Lofthouse.

That was in the 30th minute and the next five took the steam out of Otley. Hawkins came into the line and his attempt to chip over the defensive line fell into the arms of winger Andy Gray and he raced 60 metres to the line, Harvey converting, and when Otley failed to secure the re-start kick a mix-up let ex-Bradford GS centre Andy Binns in for a try.

Otley managed to re-group until, in the 43rd minute, while attacking from deep, they lost possession wide out and full-back Marcus Cook made progress down the right wing and had ample support, Martin the one to touch down, Harvey's conversion taking the score to 3-26.

Lee Denham made an effective run from the base of the scrum 30m out and two quick passes gave Robert Whatmuff a half chance and he was in under the posts.

Dan Clappison, having replaced James Lofthouse, added the conversion but instead of consolidating, a mix-up at the re-start gave Moseley possession and Harvey skipped in and converted.

The well drilled Midlanders were now running the game and as usually happens when that is the case luck favoured them. Harvey, from midfield, chipped high for the corner where prop Matt Long was lurking and he drove over from fully three metres.

It is to Otley's credit that, with 20 minutes to go and a rout on the cards they began to produce the sort of football witnessed over the last two weeks and it was the turn of the visitors to defend desperately.

Two quickly taken tapped penalties put them back on their heels and after keeping out Otley's forwards saw their line crossed in the left corner by Mark Kirkby from where Clappison struck a fine conversion.

From then on it was Moseley doing the, at times desperate, defending but they had the cushion of Otley's earlier profligancy to help them through.

GRIFFIN CONTINUES

IN SARACENS

Otley's injury-hit squad make the long journey to Exeter for Saturday's game but skipper Peter Griffin will continue his rehabilitation in the second team.

The squad for Exeter is - S Hawkins, T Lauriston, G Hope, M Billington, R Whatmuff, M Kirkby; D Clappison, A Brown; R Kelly, R Whyley, S Hudson, P Curtis, J Burke, L Denham, I Judson. Repl. J Lofthouse, P Wright, D Hall, A Pogson, J Lester, J Skurr, N Hargreaves.

The saracens entertain harrogate and have selected - J Henry; R Leighton, S Manson, P Maynard, J Bennett; A Monks, G Cassidy; C Burns, A Tindall, R Bush, Si Henry, G Mitchell, I Spence, P Griffin, G Tasker. Repl. R Simpson, S Gardner, S Rice, A Keeler. (Meet at 2 pm).

Tongans, home to Harrogate - A Campbell; T Westlake-Bryant, A Edson, A Midgeley, C Jackson; W Foster, M Birch; C Booth, C Minchella, D Setterington, St Henry, A N Other, N Girling, A Hargreaves, N Hyde. Repl. S kershaw, D Green, M Peel. (Meet at 2 pm).

Viscounts, at Harrogate - P Saddington; C Chilton, M Blake, G Herbert, M Jarvis; A Herbert, A Reid; H Blemmings, S Read, M Gillson, S Goodwill, C Booth, J Nixon, M Duxbury, J Chappell. (Meet at 2 pm).