The new rugby union season always seems degrees closer after the publication of the fixture list, and that is certainly the case for Otley in National League One for 2010-11.

In truth, they are not vastly different to that of the season just finished, but who cannot fail to be excited by the prospect of two derbies against Wharfedale?

The first comes on the second weekend of the competitive season – September 11 at The Avenue – while the return at Cross Green is on December 18.

As per last season, Otley’s first opponents are Blaydon, except this time the match is at Otley’s midden.

Otley’s secretary Marc Lawrence said: “You hear rumours about certain clubs, and there are rumours that London Scottish have £9 million to spend, which would certainly make them favourites for promotion.

“On the other hand, I have heard that the Cornish All Blacks are struggling a bit.

"However, from our point of view, I am sure that there will be a few players who will leave us, while I am equally sure that Gary Walker will be making one or two signings.

“We already have a pre-season friendly arranged at home to Hull Ionians on Saturday, August 28 (3pm), while pre-season training will start next month.”

Meanwhile, Leeds Carnegie have beaten off competition from a number of clubs to sign talented wing prospect James Tincknell.

Former Old Otliensians back Tincknell, 21, scored 15 tries in just 19 starts for Wharfedale this season in National League One and last week was named in the England Counties XV for the three-match trip to Canada, which left on Monday.

The 6ft 4in winger is a former cricketer, who was part of the Academy system at County champions Durham, but decided to switch sports last season and try his hand at rugby for the first time since his school days.

The decision may now lead to a career in the oval-ball game after he was spotted by Leeds Carnegie Academy manager Diccon Edwards.

Carnegie’s director of rugby Andy Key said: “James has all the physical attributes to be a success at the top level and by agreeing to join us on an initial short-term basis, we can see how he responds to our conditioning and skills development programme.

“We are always looking for players with the right qualities to succeed in the professional game, regardless of whether they are a talented youngster or a late developer.

“You only need to look at England internationals like Matt Banahan and Dave Strettle to see the talent that is out there playing for clubs outside the top flight.

“Wharfedale have done a fantastic job with James to get him back playing the game and helping him develop to a position whereby we feel he is ready for the next step up, and they deserve a lot of credit for that.

“James will report for pre-season training with the rest of the squad and I am looking forward to seeing how he progresses.”

Otley Zebras’ Under-12s crowned another successful season by winning the Gullivers Festival Plate Final at Twickenham.

In a close-fought game, they won one try to nil against old rivals Cobham to clinch the trophy, only solid Otley defensive work preventing Cobham from scoring in the first half.

Otley broke the deadlock in the second half with a set move off the back of a scrum. Fly half William Cooper took the ball on the blind side and fed winger Nathan Goldthorp, who beat his man and stretched over to score. Otley then played safe for the remainder of the half, with a series of long kicks keeping Cobham pinned back in their own half.

Otley have also won festivals at Manchester, Sandal, West Park Leeds and Derby, while the development team reached the semi-finals at Doncaster and Selby.

The Twickenham squad consisted of George Armstrong, Angus Bowman, Daniel Chivers, William Cooper, Matthew Edmonds, Oscar Edwards, Morgan Greenall, Nathan Goldthorp, Josh Gorner, Thomas Hewitt, Struan Mac-kenzie, Dean Miller, Charlie Roberts, Joseph Tindall, Adam Waring and Oliver Woodley.

OTLEY RUFC NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES 2010-11

Sep 4 BLAYDON HOME, Sep 11 Wharfedale away, Sep 18 CORNISH ALL BLACKS HOME, Sep 25 Blackheath away, Oct 2 LONDON SCOTTISH HOME, Oct 9 Rosslyn Park away, Oct 16 REDRUTH HOME, Oct 23 BARKING HOME, Oct 30 Tynedale away, Nov 6 STOURBRIDGE HOME, Nov 13 Sedgley Park away, Nov 20 CINDERFORD HOME, Nov 27 Cambridge away, Dec 4 MACCLESFIELD HOME, Dec 11 Coventry away, Dec 18 WHARFEDALE HOME, Jan 8 Cornish All Blacks away, Jan 15 BLACKHEATH HOME, Jan 22 London Scottish away, Jan 29 ROSSLYN PARK HOME, Feb 12 Redruth away, Feb 19 Barking away, Mar 5 TYNEDALE HOME, Mar 12 Stourbridge away, Mar 26 SEDGLEY PARK HOME, Apr 2 Cinderford away, Apr 9 CAMBRIDGE HOME, Apr 16 Macclesfield away, Apr 23 COVENTRY HOME, Apr 30 Blaydon away.