Otley sign former Tyke Benson (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Otley sign former Tyke Benson

9:00am Friday 5th January 2007 in Sport By Bill Marshall

Otley have boosted their survival hopes by signing fly half or full back Jon Benson from fellow National League One club Doncaster Knights.

Benson, who is with the Cross Greeners until the end of the season, has bags of high-level exposure with fellow Yorkshire clubs Leeds and Rotherham.

Otley coach Peter Clegg said: "Jon has a wealth of experience and is someone I have admired for quite a while.

"He will provide us with cover for Simon Binns and, while he is injured, can alternate with Ian Shuttleworth."

Back-rower Nathan Bland provides a further boost for Otley by being available following a broken arm.

However, it wouldn't be Otley at the moment unless there was an injury to talk about and the latest is scrum half Andy Brown.

He limped off with a groin problem during their 34-3 home defeat against Exeter Chiefs last Saturday.

Fourth-from-bottom Otley have a crucial relegation match tomorrow at second-from-bottom London Welsh and Clegg said: "It is one of those winnable games I was talking about.

"Both sides need the points but we are still struggling with injuries."