THE secret of OTLEY’S recent success has been to keep their focus.

A run of seven victories in 11 matches, including a 15-13 win at promotion-chasing Hinckley last week, has taken the Cross Greeners to the verge of safety in National League Two North.

Otley have seven matches left, starting with tomorrow’s clash at second-placed Sedgley Park and are two places and eight points above the demotion line.

Director of rugby Peter Clegg said: “It is like there are two clubs here sometimes (on field and off field), but two more wins should see us safe.

“The application of the lads has been fantastic.

“All we have focused on has been the rugby, and not what has been going in the papers the last few weeks.

“Why would anyone suggest that we don’t want to play in National League Two? This group of lads want to play at the highest level possible, and the intention is to win as many games as possible before the end of the season.”

Otley intend to field as close as possible the team that faced Hinckley, but Clegg added: “We might have to check on one or two.”

Another in-form team are BAILDON, whose four wins in seven matches, including last weekend’s 13-12 success at home to promotion-seeking Wensleydale, have given them a fighting chance of surviving in Yorkshire Division Three.

Baildon’s player-coach Robbie Hill said: “The glow of last weekend’s win lasted until Tuesday and then we start thinking about this weekend’s match.”

At the moment it looks like two out of the bottom five for demotion, with Stocksbridge the most vulnerable with 23 points from 21 matches.

Baildon have 28 from 20 and Skipton 29 from 19, with Sheffield Medicals (36 from 20) and Leeds Medics & Dentists (36 from 21) also in the mix.

The Jenny Laners are at Medicals tomorrow and, as Hill said: “With it being a re-arranged match, we have a few players unavailable, such as Andy Magee, Guy Price and Matty Dixon, but Matty Robinson and Zack Orrell are back.”