Otley..................33

KENDAL..............29

OTLEY could have problems this season in National League Division Two if this match is anything to go by. Coach Peter Clegg was none too happy either. Before taking his team into the dressing room for a pep talk at the end of the match Clegg said:

"I am not happy with the way Otley played but it was at least a run-out."

Otley were indeed fortunate not to have lost this friendly match to Kendal, who will be playing in Jewson League Division One this season.

On a warm and sunny day at Cross Green Otley fumbled and bumbled their way to victory with a late goal and a try after trailing 21-29 towards the end of the match.

Before a crowd of about 200 Otley used about 30 players whereas the Cumbrians had a squad of 20.

Otley played nervously for most of the game. They fumbled the ball, lacked direct running and their defence was severely tested.

Ian Voortman, Kendal's big strong running South African centre was the Man-of-the-Match. Whenever he got the ball he cut ribbons in Otley's defence and often caused panic in their ranks the same way as former Otley wing forward Lafaele Filipo used to do for Otley.

Otley will certainly have to pull their socks up if they hope to start their league programme with a win at Wakefield. Meanwhile they will be severely tested when they visit Grassington on Saturday for another friendly match, this time with Wharfedale.

Within 20 minutes Kendal had taken a 10-0 lead through a try by Jimmy Thompson (10 mins) which was converted by fly-half Mike Scott, who also kicked a penalty.

Thirteen minutes later Gary Cassidy, the Otley scrum-half went in for a try which was converted by fly-half Dan Clappison. Ian Shuttleworth put Otley in the lead with a try (40 mins) converted by Clappison. Otley led 14-10 at half-time.

On resuming Otley went further ahead with a try by Robert Whatmuff (52 mins). Shuttleworth added the goal points.However, Kendal fought back hard and tries came from James Bracken, Voortman and Casey Mee, who also converted two of them.

With a 21-19 lead and time running out Kendal looked to have victory in their pocket but Otley stormed back and tries were scored by Ian Judson and Simon Hawkins, one of which was converted by Clappison.

For Otley Gary Cassidy and Andy Brown both showed up well at scrum-half while centres Robert Whatmuff and Mark Billington worked hard and showed a little enterprise. Prop David Hall got through a lot of work in the 'steam house'.

Lock Ian Carroll will not be available for selection until October as he is in Australia.

On Saturday Otley continue their preparation for Allied Dunbar Division Two with a friendly at Wharfedale. They then open the season with a league game at Wakefield on September 2.

Otley player Sam Gardmner is writing a weekly colum keeping us upo to date with all the news at Cross Green. Turn to page 30 to read Sam's column.