Stand-in half backs Kirk Arundale and William McGee have been praised for their part in Otley’s 24-24 draw at Bromsgrove last Saturday.

They were drafted in when Stephen Depledge and Ben Cooper were ruled out by injury.

“They took their chance,” said interim director of rugby Ryan Duckett.

“It said a lot for them that they came in and played well in another performance which showed the staying power and positive mentality of the side,” he added.

Former Ilkley scrum half Arundale was making his first start in a league match after Depledge was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

He is expected be fit for Saturday when Otley, fourth in SSE National League Two North, are due to entertain Luctonians, but Indonesian international Arundale has given the selectors a nudge.

Cooper’s damaged ankle is likely to keep him out for a further three weeks, so McGee, a student at Leeds University, looks set for a longer run in the side.

“It is good that we now have a squad with genuine competition in key positions,” added Duckett.