BRADFORD AND Bingley 20 Otley 29

A HAT-TRICK of tries by scrum-half Andy Brown earned Otley the Granville Clark Memorial Trophy and himself the man of the match award in this match with Bradford and Bingley at Wagon Lane, Bingley, on Saturday, writes Barrie Pennett.

Granville Clark, who died aged 37 in October 1993, played for both clubs as a flanker as well as for Keighley and Halifax.

The Wharfedale club took an Otley XV to Wagon Lane rather than their full senior side. They were without Simon Hawkins, Dan Clappison, Gary Cassidy, Sam Gardner, Richard Smith, Robert Whatmuff, Phil Griffin, Jonathan Burke and Lafaele Filipo.

Even with all these players missing Otley were strong enough to overwhelm the home side, who put up a spirited display.

It was quite an entertaining match although there were mistakes by both sides.

Nevertheless Otley had the better outfit and in the end finished deserved winners.

Otley took the lead in the 20th minute when full-back Ryan Duckett went over for a try converted by fly-half Chris Quinn. Within nine minutes the Bees had taken a 10-7 lead from a penalty by centre Inman (27 mins). He also converted a 29th minute try by flanker Thomas.

The Bees led by this score at half-time. They increased their lead in the 50th minute when Inman landed a penalty.

From then on it was all Otley and Brown scored tries in the 53rd, 54th and 64th minutes, one of which was converted by Quinn.

Quinn dropped a goal in the 68th minute before Firth went in for a 72nd minute try for the Bees. Inman added the goal points.

This was Andy Hargreaves last match for the club.

Hargreaves, 37, who captained the Saracens team this season, has decided to retire and devote more time to his wife and family. He has been with the club since 1980, having joined from Bramley RUFC.

His brother Neil, who is skipper of the senior XV is also contemplating retiring from the first team rugby.

Veteran prop Steve Rice hopes to play senior rugby next season. He celebrates his 35th birthday in June.

Viscounts 22

Ripon Thirds 12

The Viscounts completed their season with a good win over a strong Ripon XV on the first team pitch before a large crowd in cricket conditions. Included in the crowd were Mike Anderton, the founder and former captain of the Viscounts, now living in Australia, and former players Francis Degnan and Gary Stott visiting the area, and all were impressed with the standard of the present day Viscounts.

After an initial sounding out period Otley started to get the edge and when they got quick second phase ball the backs used it well to get Charles Bowling over in the corner. Ripon hit straight back and drew level after pressure on the Viscounts line. Just before half-time a switch move in the centre saw Adrian Midgeley score near the posts for Jamie Chappell to onvert.

Both sides were enjoying the wide open spaces of Cross Green, but it was Otley who went further ahead when Charles Bowling used his pace to score his second try.

Ripon were not to be outdone and eventually broke out to score a converted try and reduce the deficit to five points.

The Viscounts clinched it in the last quarter when Charles Bowling gathered a kick ahead and linked with his support to set up a passing movement which was completed by full-back Peter Saddington and end another successful season. Everyone retired to the bar to discuss past victories well into the evening.

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