THE inaugural Boxing Day clash between Otley and Prince Henry's Grammar School Old Boys has received a ringing endorsement – from an England international and former British Lion.

About 500 spectators watched the match at Cross Green, won 39-26 by Otley, which raised funds for the Nathan Cubitt Trust (to benefit a Keighley teenager who was paralysed after a rugby injury in 2011) and for kit and equipment for Prince Henry's first and second XVs.

Before the main event there was an over-40s tag rugby match between the Christmas Elves and the Christmas Santas, won six tries to two by the Elves, whose most famous player was Otley-born former England and British Lions open-side flanker Peter Winterbottom.

The 56-year-old, who played club rugby for Headingley and, in New Zealand, Hawkes Bay, and provincial rugby in South Africa for Transvaal, said afterwards: "It has been fantastic, and it was fantastic that so many people came to watch on what was a cold day."

A total of £2,500 was taken on the gate, and there is still kit sponsorship and the proceeds from the raffle to be taken into account.

Otley RUFC chairman Nick Girling said: "We should know the total amount raised next week but we are hoping to have at least £1,500-£2,000 for each cause."

Former PHGS teacher Pete Latham said: "It was Cleggy's (Otley's director of rugby Peter Clegg) idea. He came up with it a few months ago and said 'Do you think we can run with it?'

"We then received signed shirts from the school's recent three England boys in Danny Care, of Harlequins, Paul Hill (Northampton) and Jack Walker (Bath) to raise funds, but as a team the Old Boys only had one training session last Thursday at which we had 15 players – eight forwards and seven backs.

"Over half of our lads are with Old Otliensians, who have given us fantastic support, and hopefully we can do this again next year, when their players (Otley's) will be a year slower and our youngsters will be a year faster!"

Clegg added: "It has been a great day and I see no reason why it can't become an annual event."

Prince Henry's had first use of the diagonal wind, but the opening phases were punctuated by knock-ons, easing the severe pressure on the right-hand side of Otley's defence.

Eventually, however, the territorial dominance and possession had to tell, and it did via Joe Armitage's try in the 17th minute.

Otley, inspired by hooker Luke Chadwick, hit back with tries by Harry Armitage and Jack Liebster in the 29th and 34th minutes, but the old boys snatched the half-time advantage via a wonderful try by Declan Jackson, who intercepted before going on a weaving run which ended with a swallow dive between the posts for Andrew Rhodes to convert.

Trailing 12-10 at the interval, Otley scored twice early in the second half via a penalty try and a less impressive swallow dive by Andrew Finlay, with Alistair Monks converting the former.

Although Sam Featherstone's try and Finlay's conversion brought the old boys to three points adrift at 22-19 after 54 minutes, two tries in four minutes from Liebster and lock Jason Oakes, which Monks converted, allowed Otley to go 34-19 ahead.

A spectacular 72nd-minute try for the old boys, finished off by Craig Cathley after great work by Jackson and Joe Armitage, which Rhodes converted, put the match back in the balance at 34-26.

But Jack Mackie's try at the death snuffed out those hopes to end a thoroughly entertaining match, with players from both sides receiving a medal afterwards.

The veterans' warm-up match, won by the Elves, whose team also featured Mike Winterbottom, Duncan Sayers, Adrian Scott, Paul Williams, Micky Peel and Tony Stott, was refereed by Pete Gilson, who was dressed as a fairy.

However, the wand-waving man in a tutu showed no Christmas spirit towards Santa's Richard Middlebrook, who had travelled five and a half hours up from Exeter to play, showing him a yellow card!