Rugby Union: Bradford & Bingley 20, Otley 29.

While Saturday afternoon's double-header was mainly about remembering Granville Clark, it was difficult not to look forward to next season.

With confirmation that Colin Hay had signed a contract on the day to coach Bradford and Bingley again next season, the mind naturally turned to the 1999-2000 Thwaites North Division One campaign.

Peter harrison, whose two-year term as Bradford and Bingley RFC president finishes on May 6, said: "The club are very pleased to have Colin back, and the next thing is to get more players.

"The majority of this season's squad will remain, but obviously there is a need to strengthen."

Flanker Clark, who played for both Bradford and Bingley and Otley but who died of a brain tumour at the age of 37 in 1993, would have appreciated the competitiveness of his inaugural Memorial Trophy match.

And Hay was pleased with his side's efforts. "They did very well for a scratch team, and I am very proud of them. It was a good way to finish the season."

Bees first team manager Jimmy Driver added: "It was just the game we wanted for a memorial match, and both sides played some great rugby in a good spirit - typical of the type of player that Granville Clark was.

"We have certainly got the backs to compete at a higher level, but the forwards got stuck in and did extremely well too."

The contest also marked the farewell appearance of former Yorkshire flanker Andy Hargreaves.

The back row forward, who has been at Otley for 18 years, said: "It was great to play in the match because when I started at Cross Green, Granville was in the same side as me.''

Andy was a very reluctant part of a triple substitution by Otley coach Peter Clegg in the 71st minute, and admitted: "I didn't want to come off with it being my last match, but other lads deserved a run out."

"We were too strong up front for Bradford and Bingley - Steve Rice takes most front rows to pieces - and decided basically to take them on in the front five.

"But both sides were understrength, and Bradford and Bingley cannot be a bad side as they have won North Division Two."

Otley scrum half Andy Brown - understudy to Yorkshire's Gary Cassidy at club level - won the trophy for man of the match, chiefly by scoring three second half tries.

Full back Ryan Duckett emphasised Otley's early dominance with a try, and fly half Chris Quinn was responsible for their other points with a well-struck drop goal and three conversions.

Bradford and Bingley, who led 10-7 at half-time, managed tries by flanker mark Thomas and left winger Jeremy Marr, centre Matthew Inman landing two penalties and two conversions.

Otley won the curtain-raising veterans match 20-5, and a half-time collection for the Sue Ryder Home at manorlands raised £346.70.

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