With games against West Park Bramhope being cancelled, Otliensians had a training session on Saturday afternoon before meeting up in the evening with old friends the Smugglers of IJmuiden from Holland, who were on tour.

Arrangements for their visit had been made by Tony Waye and Adrian Normanton and the Sunday morning game saw some uninhibited rugby with both sides keen to run the ball at every opportunity.

The Smugglers, having played at Glossop on Friday, were a little tour weary in the early stages of the game when Otliensians' pace in the first 20 minutes produced tries from three-quarters, Tony Collins, Steve Hammond and Jamie Pinguenet. The Smugglers hit back with a good period of attacking play scoring a converted try before Gillson scored a typical try to give Otliensians a 38-7 lead at the break.

The early stages of the second-half were keenly contested with some excellent tackling from the Smugglers. Collins and Mattie Tenniswood added further tries before Smugglers reduced the arrears with a further seven points. Pinguenet scored his fourth try and both sides scored late in the game to leave Otliensians with a 64-19 win in a game played in excellent spirit.

After the game Alistair and Pauline Hoyle set up an excellent buffet lunch and gifts were exchanged

Otley U-9s win tournament

Otley Under-9s, invited as late replacements for the Roundhegians' competition, ran away as outright winners. They played fast, competitive rugby and were effective as a unit which was without some of its regulars.

In the first game they beat West Park, Bramhope 3-0 with James and Chris Matthews working strongly in order to set up tries for Jonathan Fuller and Max Helme, who was his usual terrier-like self at the base of the scrum.

In their second game they were held to a 0-0 draw by Ripon despite some good supporting play from Naomi Pratt and Martin Todd-Smith.

Ilkley however were no match for the team which was now well into its stride emerging 5-1 winners with tries from Tom Hulme and Jake Ramsey, Jack Considine working well alongside the forwards to provide solid ball.

In the final game Roundhegians with a lot of vocal support were finally defeated by a try from James Wadkin who ran from the halfway line shrugging off defenders.

Another successful weekend for this age group who resume training on April 7.

Otley U-8s 7

Baildon U-8s 6

As has often been the case this season a large Otley squad took on a severely depleted Baildon contingent. In the first game of the morning Otley's superiority soon became apparent despite some quick running from the Baildon backs who were often too elusive for the occasionally static Otley defence.

Baildon took the lead but Otley fought back with two skillfully worked tries from Jake Hall who is becoming quick to seize his opportunity to get a run in. Further tries from William Rigg, who is now able to shrug off attempted tackles and Oliver Wales, who is always alert and up with play, gave Otley a commanding position.

A late try from Sam Palm, following some superb work by Joe Cross, sealed the victory despite a late fight back from Baildon.

Otley U-8s 4

Baildon U-8s 6

Despite Baildon's fatigue Otley were denied victory in the second game of the morning due to some lost opportunities to work the ball wide when on the opponents' try line and some good defensive work by Baildon. Running into touch is another problem for the team when the ball does go wide.

Nonetheless there was some excellent play again from Jake Hall who opened the scoring for Otley and when Sam Garnett added a second following a quick weaving move around the defence the game looked all over.

Baildon fought back however despite good defensive work from William Girt and Rhys Leighton who turned defence into attack to score Otley's third try.

Tom Pratt, who had twice been denied by late tackles, finally grounded the ball over the try line for Otley's fourth try but despite numerous attempts from Andrew Craven, who played well all morning, to break the Baildon line it was too late to catch the strong Baildon side who fought to the end.

Otley U-7s 8

Baildon U-7s 6

In a high scoring and very entertaining match, Otley came out winners due to some great team play, a positive defence and some brilliant individual tries.

From the start Otley used their superior pace and skill to put a two try lead in place from which Baildon never recovered. Many of the tries came from long passing movements and good retention of the ball with all the boys passing well and making sure that they were not passing forwards.

There were also some strong longer range individual efforts as well from Liam Ward, William Carter and Sam Melville.

Try scorers: Liam Ward (2), Sam Melville (2), William Carter (2), William Cayton and Matthew Whitehead.

The Under-7s have an Easter break, returning to training on April 7.