Absentees make it a big ask for Otley (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Absentees make it a big ask for Otley

3:48pm Thursday 4th March 2010 in

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Otley are missing two key players on Saturday as they bid to kick on from last weekend’s resilient 22-20 National League One victory over Redruth at Cross Green.

Skipper Howard Parr, who is attending his father’s funeral tomorrow in Coventry, and goal-kicking centre Ben Hough, who has gone to play in Australia for six months, are the absentees for the trip to third-placed Launceston.

“It’s going to be a tough ask for those who are left and we’ll be happy to take anything from it,” confessed Parr of the challenge facing third-from-bottom Otley.

“But the spirit in the dressing room last Saturday was something else. We’re basically a young team and I hope that we can take some confidence from this result.”

Parr may be a 37-year-old but he knows he can still raise his game a notch or two if needs be.

He played on Tuesday for the Barbarians against Bedford in the annual Mobbs Memorial Match, and revealed: “It was the fastest game I have played in since I was in the Premiership (with Rotherham).”

Parr added: “It’s a pity that I can’t play but Ben promised me last Saturday that he will play for us again when he returns.

"I wish him all the best – it’s too good an opportunity to miss.”