OLD Otliensians suffered a big disappointment in their quest for promotion when Stanley Rodillians announced just after 1 pm on Saturday that they were short of front row forwards and would not be travelling to Otley to fulfil the Yorkshire League Four fixture.

This was quite a surprise given that the clubs had been in contact during the morning to confirm the state of the pitches. The game will have to be played on another date (March 5) and Rodillians may have two league points deducted.

Rodillians 22

Otliensians A 17

Rodillians were able to fill the player shortages in their starting line-up with first XV members and exerted early pressure with a prop scoring from close range within five minutes.

Otliensians began to play some rugby and worked their way upfield thanks to some good primary line-out and scrummage ball. However, defence close to their own line was a little fragile and the home side repeated the early score.

This was the spur Otliensians appeared to need and Tony Collins, Aidie Fawell and prop Tony Myers made some storming runs up field. From a maul close to the Rodillians' line, student scrum half Andy Causer scored to reduce the deficit.

Otliensians attacked directly from the kick-off but a mis-placed pass was intercepted by the home side who scored and converted. Not fazed by this set-back, Otliensians worked diligently to establish field position and hard working second row Dave Bateman went over from a ruck leaving Otliensians 17-10 in arrears at the break.

At the interval both teams brought on replacements but Rodillians were able to call on a first team No 8 and some threequarters who began to move the ball really well from all positions.

They soon extended their lead with a well worked move giving their wing man an overlap. However, some excellent Otliensian team work and the good ball winning skills of the pack prevented further scores from the Rodillians. From an excellent three-quarter move, full-back Andy Bower scored in the corner and Ian Chaplin at stand off converted.

Skipper, Peter Tempest expressed his satisfaction at a good team performance; the tackling in the backs had been noteworthy and Tony Myers was outstanding in the forwards.

l On Saturday the first XV visit Burley and the seconds entertain Burley, both kick-off at 2.15pm.