Otley 59

Bridlington 0

MOST of Otley's players with the exception of a few including prop Steve Rice and Samoan flanker Lafaele Filipo were on view during a friendly match with Bridlington, a North Division One team at Cross Green on Saturday, writes Barrie Pennett.

Otley appear to have a strong squad for their campaign in Jewson League Division One which opens with a home game with Rosslyn Park at Cross Green on Saturday.

They seem to have a much stronger set of forwards than they have had in recent years and there could be quite a contest for team places. The backs, once they got going, looked lively.

In the match with Bridlington, which Otley won quite comfortably 59-0 before an attendance of about 150.

Otley moved the ball about at pace and it was this factor along with some sound tackling which prevented Bridlington from scoring.

Otley started slowly and frustratingly but once they managed to score through a try by No 8 Jonathon Burke it was simply plain sailing for them.

They led 12-0 at half-time and added a further 47 points without reply after the interval.

In all Otley scored nine tries, seven of which were converted.

Although Bridlington never gave up trying throughout the match.

They defended well but they were never really in the match when Otley stepped up a gear or two. They lacked the power and skills of the home side.

Try scorers were Jonathon Burke, Steve Smith (2), Tony Grieg, Paul Kelley (2), Chris Thornton, Paul Williams and William Darby.

Dan Clappison converted six of the tries and Simon Hawkins converted one.

Clappison, a former Yorkshire Under-21 fly-half, who has joined Otley from Headingley, is a left-footed goalkicker.

In the closing stages skipper and flanker Neil Hargreaves had to have treatment for a badly cut nose and is expected to out for some time missing selection for Saturday's match with Rosslyn Park, a top London club (3pm).

Hoping to be available for this game is Lafael Filipo, who is currently playing Rugby League for Hunslet. He has been named among the Otley replacvements for the game.

Peter Clegg, assistant coach at Otley said he was well pleased with Otley's performance in the Bridlington match although he admitted it was difficult to judge form in pre-season friendlies.

In Jewson One Otley's Yorkshire rivals Wharfedale face newcomers to the division when they travel to Camberley whilst Harrogate also visit newcomers in Henley.

Morley open with home advantage over Liverpool St Helen's.

Yorkshire

Under-21s

YORKSHIRE Under-21's - denied the Tetley's Bitter County Championship last season after a hat-trick of victories - are not letting the grass grow under their feet as they look ahead to this year's challenge.

They have organised two development days and expect around 150 potential players to pass through the hands of coaches Bob Hood and Steve Townend and their assistants.

The Under-21's have split their resources on an east/west basis, with the west-based players attending a session at Yarnbury RUFC, Horsforth, on Sunday, September 6.

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