PRESTON.................29

Otley......................32

OTLEY took a step nearer promotion from Jewson One with this victory over a Preston Grasshoppers side who had lost only twice previously at home this season.

Victory over visitors Reading at Cross Green on Saturday and a triumph for Yorkshire rivals Wharfedale over second placed Birmingham/Solihull would assure Otley of their promotion place.

A big crowd is expected at Cross Green to cheer Peter Clegg's side on in what is a vital game for them.

Otley have had an excellent season, played some superb rugby and got themselves into a position to gain promotion to Allied Dunbar Two with four games to play.

They currently hold a five points lead over Birmingham/Solihull with Wharfedale a further one point behind having played a game more than Birmingham.

In Saturday's game Otley expected the threat to come from Grasshoppers' pack but the Otley eight outplayed them throughout getting the push at every scrum and bossing the mauls.

The drive that brought about skipper Phil Griffin's try in the 49th minute was half the length of the field and that score gave Otley a 32-17 lead.

Had a similar effort from Griffin two minutes later not been disallowed for a double movement then Otley would have been well out of sight but, using the wind to good effect, Grasshoppers pulled back and their full-back Chris Glynn's try and conversion produced a few anxious moments.

Given first use of the wind Otley failed to take full advantage. A couple of sliced penalty kicks for the corner, not by Dan Clappison is should be said, may well have been costly but they did turn round at 25-14.

Clappison's deep kick-off was well followed up and immediately under pressure Grasshoppers conceded a simple penalty but classy stand-off Michael Lough was soon in action looping around his inside centre to go in under the posts for Glynn to convert.

A penalty into the corner and the inimitable Ian Carroll, who along with Peter Curtis was outstanding, took the throw to set up an Otley drive which saw Jonathan Burke touch down. The touchline conversion by Clappison restored the lead.

Losing possession in the home 22 Otley found themselves on the back foot but they recovered with good covering defence and Andy Brown, spotting the full-back up in attack, chipped ahead and won the race to touchdown.

From a scrum 35 metres out Burke picked up to start a series of rucks and drives which gave Lafaele Filipo his 12th try of the season and Clappison converted to give Otley a 22-7 lead after 25 minutes.

The home backs were all pretty speedy and they frequently caused Otley problems. From a straightforward crossfield move following a line-out on the Otley 22 Preston centre Russell Flynn cut through to score and Glynn converted.

Clappison, having ascertained that the game was well into added time, chose to go for the penalty but on the resumption Glynn was successful with an ear ly chance and it was with some satisfaction that the lead was increased when Griffin, a threat in midfield all afternoon, scored.

Interfering with the jumper at a line-out on half-way cost Otley a penalty. This was put into the corner and No 8 Neil Ashton was driven over in the 54th minute but Grasshoppers were comfortably held at bay until Glynn's successful kick and chase from 60 metres out made things more serious.

However, the closing minutes were handled well by this well-drilled Otley team to take them a step nearer promotion.

With fly-half Ian Shuttleworth having joined the squad from Wakefield and Gary Cassidy having returned to the club after a spell in Northern Ireland with the Army Otley have strengthened at the right time for the promtion run in.

For Saturday's clash with Reading Otley have selected - Ryan Duckett; Simon Smith, Robert Whatmuff, Mark Billington, Mark Kirkby; Dan Clappison, Andy Brown; Ronnie Kelly, Duncan Sayers, Steve Rice, Ian Carroll, Peter Curtis, Lafaele Filipo, Jon Burke, Phil Griffin. Repl. Hardcastle, Williams, Wright.

The match kicks-off at 3 pm.

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