Otley defeated at Bedford

ALMOST 3,000 turned out at Goldington Road and were treated to what must have been one of the most open and entertaining games in League One. Both sides made many changes ahead of Saturday's Powergen Trophy quarter-final at Cross Green, Bedford showing ten and Otley eight, which included James Tiffany out with a shoulder injury sustained against Rotherham.

Everyone revelled in the glorious conditions. The Otley forwards probably had the edge, except for the line-out, where South African No 6 Nic Stauss reigned supreme, deservedly getting the Man-of-the-Match champagne.

They failed to turn their pressure into points on their frequent raids on the home line, whilst allowing Bedford to cross twice from their rare opportunities but behind them Simon Binns was at his best, in turn bringing in centres or wingmen on the short ball, beautiful miss-passes or, less frequently, turning the ball back inside for Nathan Bland.

Added to this he made some exquisite kicks which would, with a kinder bounce, have brought results.

Bedford too, as the score suggests, produced three wonderful tries with full-back Mark Harris, centre Liam Roberts and winger James Hinkins demonstrating speed and guile when put away, burley prop Soane Tonga'uhia, a strong runner throughout, twice went over from close in to complete the nap hand to the delight of the home supporters.

It was Otley first on the attack with a charge from Glen Wilson. A kick from Binns had Bedford in trouble as Otley regained possession but a penalty unluckily conceded for crossing and it was Harris who opened the scoring with a penalty from 42metres out.

Otley were quickly back and showed their intentions when they ran a kickable penalty which unfortunately came to nothing and they were guilty of some slack covering when hooker Joe Ross broke blind before releasing and Harris came into the line to slice through and convert a fine try.

Fine handling from depth took Otley into the home 22 and Binns had his first success when Bedford transgressed. When they failed to gather a high short re-start they gave Harris his second penalty goal, handling on the ground but the scenario was repeated when Otley claimed a similar re-start and Chris Hyndman charged through the midfield and when pulled up Ben Steele, having a fine game in the loose and finding his touch with the throw-in, was on hand to force his way over, Binns converting.

After driving themselves out of trouble an Otley relieving kick was run back and Roberts, standing wide, produced two superb side-steps at speed to go over, Harris converting, with Binns able to bring Otley back into the game with a 44th minute penalty.

Four minutes into the second-half it was Harris again from the 38 metre mark but a great drive took Otley to the Bedford line where, after a number of penalties second row Andy Phillips was shown the yellow card. When expecting to make Bedford pay, a knock-on allowed them to get out of trouble and much worse, score a couple of tries whilst depleted.

A turnover at line-out in the Otley 22 allowed Bedford a sniff at the line and Tonga'uhia managed to break from the maul and run in from ten metres and three minutes later he was in possession when the home forwards forced their way over, Harris converting.

It was then Otley's turn to lose a man to the sin-bin, Matt Stockdale for a deliberate knock-on and they, like their hosts, produced a try whilst short in numbers. Tom Rock coming into the line raced over, Binns adding the conversion to lift hopes of at least a bonus point.

However, some precise passing following a line-out saw Hinkins over, Harris again adding the conversion.

Otley continued to threaten but failed to make inroads but there is great anticipation for a game to remember on Saturday with the visitors bringing huge support.

Otliensians look forward to

return of key players

After finishing fourth in Yorkshire League Division Four last season, four points adrift of the leaders, Old Otliensians were determined to improve in the current campaign.

Their early form was impressive with 100 per cent record in the league until late November when they were defeated by Aireborough and Stanley Rodillians, which cost them the league leadership in early December.

At this time the team had lost several players through injury; influential skipper, Richard Smith, Richard Bush, Dave Smith and Richard Paley, all with long term injuries.

In addition, Kris Keinhorst broke his ankle in training in mid-December. Even with a second defeat by the in-form neighbours Aireborough, prior to the Christmas break, Old Otliensians are still in third position in the league with 18 points, two behind the leaders, similar to the previous season.

The return of key players will, hopefully, see a return to more typical playing form.

Injuries in the first XV were reflected in a run of close defeats for the second XV who won only six of their 14 games, four in the Merit Table.

Students from Leeds University have been available during the season so far. It was also good to see Richard Cuff, leading try scorer with 12 tries, return after injury.

A major success has been the reforming of the third XV who have played every week since September 24 apart from one very late cancelled fixture. This has been due to the hard work of Phil Dearden, Stuart McIlwraith, Dave Beardsley and Team Manager, John Harrison.

Whilst it has been near impossible to find them games at a suitable level, the incredible spirit in the side has served them well against some strong opposition and the teams main concern is that they have a game each Saturday.

The existence of the third XV has attracted many more players to the club, some of whom clearly have the potential to play in the first XV in future seasons.

The North Yorkshire and Cleveland branch of the Referees Society has worked hard to try and find officials for the junior side's games but the club is again grateful to Derek Smith for officiating in a wide variety of games in the first half of the season.

In addition, Rob Wilkes, who severely damaged a shoulder last season and had to retire, has also refereed third XV games and it was really encouraging to see the former first XV winger on the field again, albeit as an official.

The season re-starts on January 7 with the first XV at Hullensians. The third XV are at home to Harrogate Pirates and the second XV are currently without a game.

If you require any further details about joining the club, just call in at training nights, led by Coach, Peter Latham, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Chaffer's Field in Pool Road or contact Recruitment Officer John Harrison on 01943 465450.

Wetherby XV 8 Aireborough XV 51

Facing almost a totally different team from that of the previous week Aireborough again put 50 points past a Wetherby XV. The home side, fielding more of a first team, made the game more enjoyable both for players and supporters with Aireborough being given a bit more of a challenge.

Up front in the forwards Wetherby contested well with some big lads both in the second row and at No 8, however once again Aireborough managed to score most of their tries through the backs.

Tries were scored by James Kinghorn, Mark Druce, Tom Holdsworth, James Stocker (who also kicked four conversions), Paul Exley, Nick Holdsworth (who also kicked a penalty and a conversion) and Craig Stanley (2).

Notable performances were made by winger Matt Osborn, substitute fly-half James Stocker, Captain Craig Stanley and No 8 Stuart Brewer.

Aireborough return to action on Saturday with another important league fixture against Leeds Corinthians, in which they will surely want to keep up the winning spree after being unbeaten in ten games.

England honours beckon

Young Rugby Union players from the Northern counties have been taking their first steps down what they hope will be the road to international recognition recently via the trial process for the England 16 Group team.

The North Division's inter-county programme, supported for the first time this season by The Army, provided the first chance for the players to put down a marker and from that set of games and a final trial at Cheadle Hulme School, watched by England coach Gareth Rees, a 23-strong squad was selected to play in a Division Festival at Castlecroft, Wolverhampton on the weekend of Saturday/Sunday January 28 and 29.

Prior to that, the North will hold a squad weekend at King Edward and Queen Mary School, Lytham on January 7 and 8, to which an additional nine players have been invited in preparation for a second divisional game in February.

In the Northern county matches, Yorkshire just pipped Northumberland on points average in the final round of games at the Army Foundation College Harrogate, but Northumberland's efforts were rewarded with their highest representation in the Final Trial for 12 years, named after the North's Development weekend at Catterick Garrison. Both Barnard Castle School and Bradford Grammar School had three pupils named in the 23.

The final squad is: Mustafa Mohammed (Yarm School, Middlesborough and Durham), Jack Fletcher (Merchant Taylors, Waterloo and Lancashire), Phil Swainston (Harrogate Grammar, Harrogate and Yorkshire), Tom Holmes (Sandbach School, Sandbach and Cheshire), William Stewart (Barnard Castle School and Durham), Tom Cokell (Settle College, Wharfedale and Yorkshire), Robert Bell (Bolden School, Westoe and Durham), Jacob Rowan (Bradford Grammar School and Yorkshire), Kyle Booysens (Houghton Kepier School, Houghton and Durham), Rory Clegg (Barnard Castle School and Durham), Jack Bromley (Christleton HS, Chester and Cheshire), Alex Hurst (Moorside HS, Folly Park ARLFC and Lancashire), Tom Casson (Sedbergh School and Cheshire), Ariyio Onofowakan (Bradford Grammar School and Yorkshire), Matthew Lister (Barnard Castle School, Darlington and Durham), Neil Clarke (Willowgarth HS and Yorkshire), Luke Fletcher (Egglescliffe School, Harrogate and Durham), Dan Metcalfe (Harrogate Grammar School, Harrogate and Yorkshire), James Gaskell (Sandbach School, Sandbach and Cheshire) Todd Harrison (RGS Newcastle, Gosforth and Northumberland), Fred Burdon (RGS Newcastle, Northern and Northumberland), Eddie Styles (Cheadle Hulme, Macclesfield and Cheshire), Sam Boot (Bradford Grammar School and Yorkshire).

Additional Squad Players: Josh Terry (Keswick School, Keswick and Cumbria), Ralph Appleby (Merchiston Castle and Northumberland, Tom Gilchrist (King James's Knaresborough, Harrogate and Yorkshire), William Welch (RGS Newcastle, Northern and Northumberland), Shaun Dougal (St Leonard's, Durham, West Hartlepool and Durham), Alex Black (Thirsk School, Harrogate and Yorkshire), Mike Craven (Christleton HS, Chester and Cheshire), Jordan Howson (Lymm HS, Lymm and Cheshire), Rhys Thomas (Barnard Castle School and Durham).

North boys bid for England places

Under-18 Rugby Union players from the North began their quest for England honours in earnest on Tuesday when they took on the South West at Castlecroft Stadium, Wolverhampton.

Centre Luke Eves starred in the South West's 29-7 victory over the North in the opening match of the Under-18 Divisional Festival.

Watched by his father Derek, the Hull Ionians and former Bristol and Coventry flanker, Eves ran in a sparkling hat-trick of tries and as the South West punished the North for an error-riddled performance.

Eves of Colston's School, Bristol and Gloucestershire, gave the South West and early lead when he rounded off a move started by a clever diagonal run from scrum-half Dominic Shaw (London Waps, Magdelen College School and Oxfordshire). He then used his pace and strength to cut through for his second try midway through the second half and completed his hat-trick by gathering a superbly-placed crossfield kick from replacement fly-half Richard Frost (Marlow, John Hampden School and Buckinghamshire) eight minutes from time.

The South West built impressively on the efforts of their big pack in which hooker Ryan Prosser (Colston's School, Bristol and Gloucestershire) impressed and No 8 James Phillips (Bristol, St Brendan's School and Gloucestershire) acted as an effective ball-carrier.

Prosser scored the South West's second try just before half-time, which rounded off a sustained attack, and Phillips rumbled over early in the second half after a break from replacement scrum-half Tom Parker (NEC Harlequins, Millfield School and Somerset).

Fly-half Marc Davies (Gloucester, St Peter's School and Gloucestershire) and full-back Phil Chesters (Salisbury, Bishop Wordsworth School and Dorset and Wiltshire) each added one conversion.

The North worked hard throughout but were let down by poor handling at critical stages of the game which prevented them turning periods of territorial dominance into more points.

They held the lead briefly when full-back Michael Johnson (RGS Newcastle and Northumberland) showed skill and acceleration to cross for a 26th minute try which fly-half Robert Miller (Newcastle Falcons, Keswick School and Cumbria) improved.

London defeated the Midlands 21-8 in the day's second game at Castlecroft.

The England selectors will now name a provisional training squad to prepare for both the AER Under-18 European Championships and Home Unions Festival later in the year.

Further Divisional matches will be played next month at venues to be advised.

The North squad for Castlecroft was: Michael Johnson (RGS Newcastle and Northumberland); Duncan Lawrence (Keswick School, Keswick and Cumbria), Daniel Hart (Harrogate and Yorkshire), Christopher Parrott (Eccles and Lancashire) capt, Nicholas Wilding (Sedbergh, Stoke and Lancashire); Robert Miller (Keswick School, Newcastle Falcons and Cumbria), David Williams (Kings School, Macclesfield, Buxton and Cheshire); Harrison Pickervance (Kirkham GS and Lancashire), Joshua Rose (Hymers College, Hull Ionians and Yorkshire), Scott Freer (Prince Henry's GS, Moortown and Yorkshire), Tom Denton (St Peter's York, Leeds Tykes and Yorkshire), Graeme Dunn (Queen Elizabeth HS, Tynedale and Northumberland), Carl Fearns (Sedbergh, Waterloo and Lancashire), Grant Beasley (St Bees, Egremont and Cumbria), Edward Cawthorn (Queen Elizabeth HS, Tynedale and Northumberland).

Replacements: John Oakes (Woodhouse Grove, Cleckheaton and Yorkshire), Richard Piper (Cleckheaton and Yorkshire), Bobby Gould (Lymm HS, Sale FC and Cheshire), James Craig (Longcroft, Beverley and Yorkshire), Aaron Myers (Hartlepool 6th Form Coll and West Hartlepool, Garth Dew (Hutton GS, Sale and Lancashire, Michael Young (Durham School), David Jones (Kings School, Macclesfield, Macclesfield and Cheshire), Thomas Bray (Lymm HS, Lymm and Cheshire), George Drake (Sedbergh, Malton and Norton and Yorkshire).