Third placed Orrell see off Otley's challenge

With no clubhouse, razed to the ground some months ago, and no efforts from the home officials, who were never in evidence, to organise any hospitality, the Otley supporters found themselves back home from Orrell much before they usually are from Cross Green,

They had once again witnessed a good game although it illustrated how much more preparation a fully professional outfit can give to the finer points of the game.

This is not to mention an ability to play on or perhaps just over the edge of the off-side law, nor putting in the odd illegal late tackle.

Otley found the fully professional side too well-versed to contain although they did give a display full of honest endeavour.

Their heavy defeat at Otley had obviously been a great surprise and to their credit Orrell had improved their forward game out of all recognition.

They did however get a shock when they lost their first line-out and their defence kept a good formation throughout which was necessary late in the game.

Mark Kirkby was twice pulled down close to the line and it was sheer strength which took Neil Law over in the 73rd minute.

Orrell's opening score came on 14 minutes whilst Phil Greaves was off the field having attention to a rib injury from which he had to retire.

The ball amazingly came out of a ruck like a projectile and scrum-half Steve So'oialo broke blind where Otley's defence was a man short and centre Wes Davies raced over.

Fly-half Phil Jones converted and he had success with all five more kicks.He was an excellent playmaker who made his presence felt.

Simon Binns pulled back the score with a straight penalty and was inches wide with a second effort from fully 53m.

However, just before the break Orrell struck twice. This coincided with the forced replacement of Mark Luffman with a blood wound. He was to return for two further spells in the second period.

Binns went off after a knock which entailed Ian Shuttleworth moving to fly-half.

Dan Clappison took his place at full- back. Orrell No 8 Drew Hickey crashed over following a 5m scrum on the Otley line after 38 minutes.

Orrell had a stroke of luck when Jason Oakes got a hand to the ball when Jones was attempting a clearing kick from the re-start and it played on side most of the home pack. A quick transfer to Richard Welding allowed the winger to show his speed.

Two minutes into the second-half Davies got away for his second try.

Now playing into a strong wind Otley had to change tactics and they kept Orrell on their toes but were unable to turn their periods of ascendancy into points.

Dan Clappison just failed to get over after splitting the defence and Paul Williams was hurled into a touch a metre short following good work from Law.

Otley conceded a penalty at the line-out which was cleverly worked upfield by the home side, second row Chris Bentley finishing off under the posts.

A penalty into the corner set up a drive for the home line but their defence held tight so the ball was moved out for Law, now at centre, to crash over.

Orrell were not finished, play-maker Jones looping round to go over in the corner. Otley then contrived their best move of the day, a break in his own half by Law set it up and ended once again with Kirkby hauled down metres short.

by JOHN FINCH