Old Otliensians 17 Old Grovians 15

OLD Otliensians held sway for most of this Aire-Wharfe Cup semi-final at Chaffers Field – but they were only two points ahead, were a man down after Nathan Rogers had been sin-binned and were defending desperately in their right-hand corner deep into injury-time.

However, summoning up the collective spirit that was forged at Prince Henry's Grammar School, the hosts held on to book a final against Ilkley Seconds – and, as an added bonus, the match will again be at home on Friday (6.45pm).

Yorkshire Division Three champions Old Grovians, who had won the league encounter 16-7 at Otliensians and the home match 39-17, were rocked on their heels inside the first minute by record club try-scorer Declan Jackson.

The winger cut through at pace from 30 metres out to score his 36th of the season, Kristian Keinhorst converting, but the visitors from Apperley Bridge were level by the seventh minute, right winger Joe Harrison evading some poor tackles to score and fly half Adam Weaving adding a fine conversion.

The visitors' pack had two destructive drives but it brought them no points, and an Ollie Eaves try, converted by Keinhorst, made most of a large crowd happy as Otliensians went 14-7 ahead after 24 minutes.

A Keinhorst penalty approaching half-time made the margin ten points but it was back to five by the interval as Christian Baines scored a try following a neat reverse pass by scrum half Anthony Cadman.

Keinhorst struck again from a penalty when Grovians flanker Joe Sowden was sin-binned halfway through the second half but the visitors went ahead despite being short-handed when prop John Oakes forced his way over, Weaving converting for 22-20.

However, Otliensians clinched victory with a thrilling try in stoppage time when Connor Bateman and Zak Stead combined to put Rogers in for the winner.

Then came the dogged defence that clinched a final berth as Grovians paid for earlier injuries to centre Anthony Griffin, Baines and Matt Worrall.