Rock is expecting a humdinger against Nuneaton (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Rock is expecting a humdinger against Nuneaton

4:51pm Thursday 29th March 2012 in Otley By Bill Marshall, T&A Sports Reporter

Otley’s director of rugby Tom Rock had mixed feelings after their 12-10 SSE National League Two North defeat at Luctonians last Saturday.

He was delighted that they had again pushed a top-four team close away from home but frustrated that his relegation-threatened side hadn’t come up with a win.

On the eve of a crucial home match against fellow strugglers Nuneaton, Rock said of the Luctonians clash: “I think we should have won it.

“There were several opportunities but we lost it on a couple of our errors.

“However, we are moving in the right direction. Six months ago we wouldn’t have been anywhere near as close but six months from now that is a game that we will win.”

Harrogate’s 17-17 home draw against Huddersfield last weekend means that only four points separate four teams immediately above basement team Kendal, with Nuneaton second from bottom on 42 points and Otley fifth from bottom on 46 points, with three team to go down.

Other relevant matches to Otley on Saturday are third-from-bottom Leicester Lions hosting Bromsgrove, who put 67 points on Kendal last weekend, while fourth-from bottom Harrogate are at champions Loughborough Students.

But Rock added: “You could tie yourself in knots trying to predict the results of matches in our division.

“Nuneaton are obviously targeting this game but we have a similar squad to last weekend and we only have two home games left, so must make them count.

“It should be a real humdinger. Our safety is in our own hands. Another thing that will suit us is the weather - a dry pitch should be in our favour.”