Otley seeking to avenge narrow loss to Hull (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Otley seeking to avenge narrow loss to Hull

4:00pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in Sport By Alan Birkinshaw, Weeklies Sports Editor

Otley will be looking to avenge one of their most frustrating defeats of the season when they take on Hull at Cross Green on Saturday.

They went down 32-30 when they visited Humberside earlier in the season in SSE National League Two North, despite outscoring their opponents four tries to two.

It was an afternoon when they saw Greg Lound kick six penalties and two conversions for Hull, while they had a last-minute penalty from stand-in kicker Steve Depledge strike a post and bounce out.

Interim director of rugby Ryan Duckett said: “Obviously it was a disappointing defeat for the lads at the time, and after a two-week lay off due to the weather we want to get back in action with a win.

“Everybody will be keen to play and it would be good to get revenge for the defeat at Hull. We are fourth in the league and want to maintain our position.”

Scrum half Depledge, centre Jack Mackie and back row Alex Ball are all available for selection after missing Otley’s last game, the 24-24 draw at Bromsgrove.

Fly half Ben Cooper is still sidelined with an ankle injury, but there is better news on long-term absentees Simon Willett and James Wood.

Willett is building up his fitness after a knee problem, while winger Wood is due to have a metal plate removed from the thumb he broke, which will enable him to resume training.