NOTTINGHAM 31

Otley 35

A NARROW win at Nottingham has given Otley a five point lead over Birmingham/Solihull in the Jewson One League. Although they conceded 31 points to a struggling side Otley emerged as winners and in their first game of the New Year kept their place at the head of the pack.

Big Yorkshire rivals Wharfedale - who have twice beaten Otley this season - are however stepping up their campaign and now hold third place six points behind the leaders.

With no major soccer matches in Nottingham the rugby club distributed thousands of free tickets in an effort to raise support for this vital home game and those who took advantage were treated to an exciting, top class game.

Skipper Phil Griffin and lock Ian Carroll made welcome and impressive returns to the Otley side having missed the last seven games and Andy Brown, another long term absentee, made a start at scrum-half allowing Peter Wright to take over at full-back from the injured Simon Hawkins.

Leading scorer Dan Clappison gave Otley an early lead when he kicked a penalty and then Otley were awarded a penalty try when Clappison's kick through was chased by winger Mark Kirkby and he was taken out. Clappison added the conversion to put Otley ten points ahead.

Nottingham replied well and their No 8 Mark Bradley took an inside pass from scrum-half Alan Royer and went over for a try but when they kicked back the re-start Andy Brown chipped high and was up to join in the attack and put Tom Laureston over in the corner.

Otley increased their lead when a penalty in the corner set up a drive for Jonathan Burke to go over and when the re-start failed to travel the ten metres Andy Brown broke away to put Tom Laureston in again. Clappison added a superb conversion from the touchline.

Nottingham showed some spirit and hit back with two penalties from their centre Tom Rolt and with this spur Rolt also cut inside to go over near the posts for a try which he also converted.

Rolt's one-man crusade continued and he exchanged penalties with Clappison and then kicked another penalty to make it 30-25.

The excitement of this wonderful game of rugby extended to the very end and Lafaele Filipo went over from a line-out after the full-back had been forced to find touch with Kirkby putting him under pressure.

Nottingham were still not done and replacement Jon Adams was driven over for a try which the irrepressible Rolt converted to leave the final margin just four points. The referee however dashed home hopes when he signalled 'no-side'.

With Harrogate helping Otley's cause by defeating Rosslyn Park Otley will hope to secure their promotion position in the next two weeks when they have home games against Lydney and Newbury.

l Otley entertain Lydney on Saturday when Ryan Duckett takes the full-back berth after being unavailable for the Nottingham game.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.