An exciting Saracens' display entertains a large crowd

WHEN Bradford and Bingley had to play a postponed league game Saracens arranged a fixture with Selby, who are in Yorkshire One, and produced an exciting performance to entertain a large crowd in perfect conditions.

Otley took an early lead when the forwards won a five metre line-out and drove over, Jonathan Burke returning after a lengthy injury absence claiming the try. Saracens eventually broke out when they engineered a turnover in midfield and slick handling to the wing saw Will Darby send the full-back the wrong way before outstripping the cover, Phil Howell converting.

A kick and chase by Dan Clappison produced quick second phase ball at the breakdown and good support by Duick Young gave him a try under the posts for Phil Howell to convert.

Selby contributed to an exciting game spreading the ball and were rewarded when their winger went over and only good covering stopped a second shortly after.

Mark Nixon and Tony Greig were injured and replaced by Richard Leighton and Dennis Hazelton. The latter was soon on the scoresheet following a great drive.

From the re-start Darby picked up a ball in broken play to split the midfield defence and beat the full-back to score a superb try. Howell tacked on the easy conversion. Darby almost completed his hat-trick when Howell constructed a slick move but the referee judged the final pass forward.

Simon Reid on the other wing made a good run before passing inside to Leighton, who scored, Dan Clappison adding the conversion to make it 38-5 at half-time.

Both sides brought on replacements and it was the visitors who settled first creating pressure which eventually produced a try in the corner. Otley looked to have taken their foot off the pedal but they started to pick up the pace again and when they won a five metre line-out again they drove over for Burke to touch down, Clappison converting.

Adrian Keeler came on for Young and on his first touch of the ball he created space for Darby who completed his hat-trick, Clappison converting. The latter completed the scoring racing away for the try and adding the conversion in an entertaining game.

Otley Viscounts 8, Harrogate Thirds 20

WHEN their original opponents cancelled Viscounts arranged a pool fixture with Harrogate Third XV.

In a well-contested first-half Harrogate had the edge and took the lead with a converted try. Viscounts were defending well but could do little when the visitors created an overlap to stretch the lead. Towards half-time Viscounts built pressure but they could not turn it into points.

On the re-start Viscounts attacked strongly and Jamie Chappell got them on the scoreboard with a penalty but this was cancelled by one for the visitors. Viscounts were playing well now with Charlie Davey showing some nice touches and eventually they got the try they had worked for when Allwyn Herbert raced over.

With only one converted try in it Viscounts went all out but despite pressure could not pierce the visitors' defence and Harrogate clinched it when they broke away for a try in the corner.

Doncaster 44, Otley Academy U-19s 10

Otley's unbeaten run came to an abrupt end following a below par performance at Castle Park on Sunday in the Colts' Merit Table.

Several injuries forced changed personnel but this was no excuse for the scoreline. All the early play was in the Otley half. A succession of penalties for indiscipline squandered possession. After 15 minutes Doncaster scored their first points from a penalty, followed by scores at five minute intervals to leave the score 22-0 to the home side at half-time.

Doncaster stretched the lead and five minutes later a pass in front of their winger was kicked ahead and followed up to take the score to 34-0.

Play and decisions were going against Otley and after a 'not ten' penalty the Doncaster forwards produced another score

Otley rallied and drove skipper Alex Laycock over to save some pride. The riposte was a further score from the home team.

Late in the day some good running produced a score for hard working centre Steve Maggipinto and he was unlucky to be pulled up just short of the line after a fine interception in the final minute.

Hard work in training is now required before the National Plate semi-final against Preston Grasshoppers and the Yorkshire Cup semi-final against the winners of Huddersfield v Driffield.

Morley 12, Otley U-13s 5

Having loaned three players to Morley and despite making a very bright start, Otley failed to avenge an early season defeat. Otley tore into Morley from the kick-off and looked well in command.

A determined thrust from Joe Garforth led to quick ball and Joe Robinson surged over to open the scoring.

Seb Shaw almost added a second but was stripped of the ball on the line and had to leave the field with a shoulder injury. This unsettled the pack and Morley came back scoring just before half-time after some poor tackling.

The team's tackling improved after the break, William Fraser showing the way and Richard Parkin setting the standard with a particularly heroic effort.

The Otley backs were running well and there were some wonderful passing movements.

Centre Simon Jones with his strong direct running and winger Jamie Spears with his evasive running and pace went close a number of times but the Morley defence held and snatched a runaway try to win. Robert Froude had a very safe game at full-back.

Scrum-half and captain Eddie McKee kept the team focussed and organised as well as making several telling breaks to earn the Man-of-the-Match award.

Otley U-13s 24, Wharfedale 7

The meaning of derbies is already well known to both of these young teams, and this match was played with great determination and enthusiasm, as Otley avenged their away defeat.

The first-half was classical end-to-end rugby with some good inter-play although over-eagerness led to many knock-ons and little continuity.

Otley took the lead with two tries from Joe Robinson, one after a superb break from his second row partner Simon Robinson. Wharfedale snatched one back with a breathtaking breakaway.

It was a more fluent second-half but no less keenly contested. Wharfedale could not cope with the searing pace of fly-half Sam Boot who scored two tries on his debut.

One was a neatly worked loop with centre Edward Goodwill, who added two conversions.

Other great performances came from prop Charles Middleton and Luke Walton in the backs but Andrew Maclean took the Man-of-the-Match for good support play and great cover work which set up Boot's second try.