Morley 20

Otley 25

OTLEY maintained their third position in Jewson League Division One with this narrow win over old rivals Morley before a crowd of about 800 at Scatcherd Lane on Saturday.

Besides keeping in touch with Manchester and Henley, the teams above them in the promotion chase, Otley also gained revenge for their Tetley Bitter Cup exit to Morley by 20-28 at Cross Green on October 17.

It proved to be costly defeat for Otley for Morley meet the mighty Saracens either on January 9 or 10.

Otley have been playing some good rugby in recent weeks and they needed to be on form on Saturday but at one stage with defeat staring them in the face midway through the second-half they staged a wonderful come-back to snatch victory from Morley's grasp.

On the day Otley were the better side but three tries resulting from interceptions, two by Morley and one by Otley, had a bearing on the state of play at the particular time they were made.

The first interception came from Otley's right-winger William Darby who intercepted a pass by Morley flanker Lance Hamilton and simply sped for the line to open the scoring in the second minute.

The two other interceptions came when Morley's full-back Chris Johnson got the ball in his own half and ran the full length of the pitch to score a try wide of the left posts in the 37th minute and the second came when left-winger Chris Hall went over in the 42nd minute.

In all Otley were the better side although at one stage it looked as if Morley were going to come out on top again.

But some resolute defending, some good scrummaging and team work helped them win through in the end and pick up two well deserved points.

Otley's lock Lafaele Filipo had a tremendous game and his two tries in the 56th and 65th minutes turned the game for Otley.

After taking a 7-0 lead Otley trailed 17-10 at half-time and at one stage were 20-10 behind before they put on the pressure which Morley just could not handle.

Otley's other points came from fly-half Dan Clappison who converted two tries and kicked two penalty goals.

Left-winger Chris Hall scored two fine tries for Morley in the 25th and 42nd minute and full-back Chris Johnson got his try in the 37th minute. Fly-half Tom Bamber converted a try and kicked a penalty. In all, eight minutes injury time was played.

This was a good team effort by Otley and no doubt this win will be remembered for quite some time.

l Otley will be hoping to continue their good run on Saturday when they entertain Lydney at Cross Green.

Before the game there will be a past players' re-union in the clubhouse when over 100 former players are expected to attend.

The following Saturday, December 5, they are again at home, this time to Newbury. So if Otley play to their potential then there could be another four points for them before they travel to Reading on December 12.

Otley Saracens 19

Morley Cavaliers 21

WITH an increasing injury list it was a much changed Saracens team that took on Morley at Cross Green.

They were further handicapped with the vagaries of answer machines and work commitments, resulting in them taking the field with 13 men, increased to 14 with the loan of a Morley replacement.

The game had an initial feeling out period before Otley took the lead when quick ball was spread wide and their loaned player raced away to score near the posts for Dominic Kershaw to add the convesion.

Morley hit straight back and stretched the home defence to score wide out. Otley's missing player arrived to give them numerical equality and they mounted a spell of pressure which resulted in scrum-half Ben Greaves darting over to give Saracens a 12-5 half-time lead.

Morley stepped up the pace on the restart and their tactics became questionable. The referee had to have words with a couple of players before showing the yellow card but the tactics seemed to have paid off when they scored two converted tries.

Saracens rallied in the final quarter and excellent handling saw Stuart Langley score near the posts and add the conversion to reduce the deficit to two points.

In a grandstand finish Otley kicked a penalty to set up a lineout near the visitor's line but the throw-in was ruled not straight and the referee blew for 'no side'.

Saracens would have to admit that on balance Morley just about deserved their narrow win as they never managed to produce the continuity and fluency into their play that has been evident in their earlier games, no doubt due to the much changed side.

Colt Richard Simpson had another good performance in the back row.

Morley 15

Otley Tongans 29

THE game was played on a small, sloping pitch as the reserve pitch was unfit due to the wind blowing straight down it. It was apparent that it would be a game of two halves.

Tongans had first use of the elements and took the lead when winger Tim Westlake-Bryant came inside to power over. Chris Quinn added the conversion and as the home side were constantly offside, he kicked four penalties and a drop goal to give Otley a 22-0 lead at half-time.

With the elements Morley piled on the pressure and a drop goal and converted try reduced the deficit as Otley defended desperately.

Morley scored again with 10 minutes to go but Tongans finished strongly hammering at the home line and after being held up twice Chris Quinn powered over near the posts and added the conversion to give him 24 points for a good day's work.

The pack played well with Tim Appleton a tower of strength in the back row and colt Steve Kershaw worked hard at the base. Tongans played their third pair of brothers when Adam Richards joined his brother John.

Kirby Lonsdale Thirds 7

Otley Viscounts 36

VISCOUNTS continued their recent good form with a convincing victory at Kirby Lonsdale.

The win was based on a sound pack performance in which Andrew Fleming made a promising debut in tight and loose.

The backs made full use of the quality possession to run in six tries. Centre Mike Blake scored a hat-trick and winger Chris Chilton added a brace.

Scrum-half Richard Hall, who got the ball away well, found time to get on the score sheet and skipper Jamie Chappell added three conversions.

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