Ilkley 10 Otley Saracens 12

IN their opening game of the season Otley Saracens retained the Tim Bucknall Trophy after a closely fought contest at Stacks Field.

Otley had a number of late changes but they opened strongly with the pack having the edge in the set pieces. Andrew Merkin playing against his former club took several strikes against the head and Richard Smith and Richard Malir won a lot of line-out possession but the backs made little penetration against a strong Ilkley defence.

Justin Hewitt for Ilkley and Chris Quinn, Otley, were both narrowly wide with penalty kicks before Otley opened their account on the half-hour.

The pack drove to the line and Andy Hargreaves dived over but the referee was unsighted and gave a five metre scrum. Justice was done when Saracens pack drove the Ilkley eight back and Andy Hargreaves scored a pushover.

Ilkley hit back in the dying minutes of the half but the Otley defence held and it was 0-5 at the turn round.

The pattern continued in the second- half with Saracens having the edge in possession and territorially before Ilkley broke out down the right and then switched left where Justin Hewitt found space to stride through to score and add the conversion to make it 7-5.

Saracens piled on the pressure and regained the lead when they took a tap penalty, Richard Smith making a strong run to the line and when the ball was laid back scrum-half Gary Cassidy drove over, Chris Quinn adding a good conversion.

Otley were on top and created a number of chances but Ilkley were defending with great spirit. Both Saracens centres Dave Boreham and Chris Stott were injured in the closing minutes and Ilkley took full advantage to mount a grandstand finish. Justin Hewitt reduced the arrears with a well struck penalty but Otley held out for the win.

This was a typical opening game with both sides prone to errors but there were enough positive points to give them encouragement for the season ahead.

Scrum-half Gary Cassidy made a useful debut for Otley and Dave Bussell had a strong game on his return to Ilkley.

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