DOUGHTY defence and a potency in attack gave Old Otliensians a 22-14 second-round victory at Bradford Salem Seconds in the Spray Plant (UK) Ltd Aire-Wharfe Cup.

Salem, inspired by prop Jordan Ashworth, were held up over the line an astonishing SIX times – four in the first half and two in the second – but managed tries by Jamie Symonds and Andy Hanlon, Richard Langhorn adding both conversions.

Otliensians, who booked a home semi-final against Old Grovians next week, had two tries by winger Declan Jackson and a penalty try.

Jackson now holds the club record outright for tries in a season with 35, breaking the 33 set by Andy Thorpe in the early 1990s.

Yorkshire Division Three champions Old Grovians – Otliensians were fifth – made it a successful return to Rose Cottage for their director of rugby Martin Whitcombe with a 48-25 victory at Keighley Seconds.

Ilkley Seconds won 56-17 at Bramley Phoenix, who were seventh in Yorkshire Three, to book their semi-final place.

Tries for the Dalesmen came from Dan Nolan (2), Shane Adams (2), Dan Lawrence, Dave Squirrel, Callum Gillon and skipper Chris Chapman.

Bradford & Bingley Barbarians breezed through to the semi-finals of the Aire-Wharfe Plate with a 45-15 home success over Baildon, who were tenth in Yorkshire Three.

Among the scorers for the Bees were Andy Smith, Phil Greaves, Tom Gough and Dan Cookson, Dave Padgett replying with a brace for Baildon to add to his penalty, Tom Massey also bagging a conversion.

The Barbarians will now be at Wharfedale Thirds, while Yarnbury Seconds will host West Leeds Seconds in the other semi-final.

Yarnbury were given a walkover by Bradford University due to exams.

Spray Plant (UK) Ltd Aire-Wharfe Cup – Semi-final draw: Ilkley-2 v West Park Leeds-2 or Skipton, Old Otliensians v Old Grovians. Spray Plant (UK) Ltd Aire-Wharfe Plate – First-round results: Bradford & Bingley-2 45, Baildon 15; Aireborough 17, West Leeds 8; Wharfedale-3 62, Roundhegians-2 14; Yarnbury-2 w.o. Bradford University. Semi-final draw: Wharfedale-v Bradford & Bingley 2, Yarnbury-2v West Leeds-..