ROSSLYN PARK 11

Otley 20

THE spectre of past visits by Otley to Rosslyn Park was well and truly laid as Otley's confident, well-organised approach to this most vital of games secured a solid victory which keeps them firmly at the head of the Jewson One table writes John Finch.

Although they were 11-3 down at the half-way stage there was no hint of panic from the Otley lads for they had been playing into a strong wind on a surface more akin to a skating rink such was the amount of water standing on the usual grass-less pitch.

Otley routinely worked themselves into a sound lead in a productive second-half,

Peter Clegg's Cross Green men had known that they would have to defend well for the first 40 minutes and sure enough they were soon under pressure from a penalty in their own 22.

However, the pack coped well to keep their line intact and after Park stand-off Tom Ashworth had gone wide with a drop goal attempt a period of good ball retention took play into the home half for the first time. Dan Clappison took advantage to kick his side ahead with a penalty 13 minutes into the game.

It was a further ten minutes before Park were able to draw level with a penalty from their full-back Andy Maddocks and when Otley fell off-side at a scrum five minutes later he obliged once more.

Then, from the re-start Ashworth put up a high kick into the corner which re-acted unexpectedly on the wet surface and centre Nick Marvel was quickly up to steal a try.

Throughout the second period Park were held ina stranglehold as Otley gradually worked themselves into the lead. Immediate pressure resulted in a try for prop Ronnie Kelly, his fourth of the season.

Otley then scored another try with a brilliant back move which started with full-back Ryan Duckett joining the line at outside centre and ended with Simon Smith spectacularly crashing through three tackles to go over in the corner.

The final score came in the 75th minute when Otley worked the penalty into the corner routine. Ian Carroll as ever took the throw to set up the drive for Jonathan Burke, whose current form is outstanding, to make the touchdown.

Clappison sealed the victory with a well struck conversion.

Otley's next league game is at home to Camberley on February 26 but in the meantime they travel to meet old foes Halifax on Saturday. Halifax are currently unbeaten in North East One.

Otley are virtually back to full strength with only Simon Hawkins still on the sidelines so they are well prepared for the final run in which they hope will lead to promotion.

Elsewhere Wharfedale maintained their challenge for a promotion spot with a 17-8 win at Bracknell but Birmingham/Solihull held onto second spot after their narrow one point win at Fylde by 18-17.

Otley currently top the table with a five point lead over Birmingham/Solihull who have a game in hand. Wharfedale are in third spot one point adrift having played the same number of games as Otley.

Otley are far and away the divisions' leading points scorers with 570, Wharfedale being their nearest challengers with 474.

COUNTY GAME

Otley's Cross Green ground will stage the Yorkshire Under-15 game against Lancashire on Wednesday, March 1, with a 2 pm kick-off.

Andrew Tindall, cousin of new England international Mike Tindall, has been selected for the Yorkshire Under-20 side to play Durham at Huddersfield on Sunday (2.15 pm).

Andrew, a hooker, is currently studying at Newcastle University after leaving Otley's Prince Henry's Grammar School. His family live in Bramhope.

Centre Mike Tindall, who has roots in Otley, looks set to gain his second cap when England take on France in the Stade de France on Saturday.

The 21 year-old made a try scoring debut against Ireland at Twickenham two weeks ago.

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