Clappison seals game with penalty

ALTHOUGH it took a last minute penalty from Dan Clappison to retake the lead so lately lost it was a fine team performance by Otley against a big side who relished the wet, slippery conditions that mostly prevail at Solihull.

The game began in fog and finished in pouring rain which made conditions really bad in the final quarter but the Otley pack were superb in every department, even without Peter Curtis for ten minutes, yellow-carded for not retreating at a penalty and when Ian Shuttleworth suffered the same fate when he was harshly sidelined for a high tackle.

During this spell Phil Griffin was packing down in attack and out at centre in defence and it worked a treat.

After both sides had missed penalties it was home fly-half Steve Gough who opened the scoring on seven minutes when he was successful with his second attempt but Clappison levelled three minutes later with a penalty 15m in from the touchline.

Good positional kicking by Andy Brown, Clappison and Shuttleworth kept Otley pressing but their continuity was spoiled by errors, although the conditions were much to blame and there was no further score before half-time.

Otley found themselves pushed into their 22 from the restart, but once again their defensive cover was up to the task until they conceded a penalty wide out which Gough was unable to improve and from there they began to drive forward.

From a line-out on the home 22 they hammered the line before releasing and Simon Smith, making his season's debut following a knee injury at Wharfedale in a practice match, showed he had lost none of his power with an unstoppable run for the corner, Clappison followed with a fine conversion.

Back to full strength, and with Birmingham losing full-back Dave Knight to the sin-bin for foul play, Otley looked well set to increase their lead as they piled on the pressure.

But despite the entreaties from coach Peter Clegg, as ever in close proximity on the touch-line, to keep the ball tight it was swung wide where a dropped pass was hacked forward straight into the hands of Adam Irwin, the swiftest man on the home side, who raced 80m to the posts, Gough converting to equalise.

With ten minutes left there was no panic, but the home defence remained secure, and when Otley were awarded a penalty 40m out, in one of the muddiest parts of the field, an inquiry to the referee established that there was insufficient time to kick for the corner.

Clappison had to take up the challenge, the result being one of the sweetest strikes of his career and a well deserved away win.

Otley have to repeat this performance when they entertain London Welsh on Saturday, the Cross Green lads being a little disappointed they didn't beat the exiles away earlier in the season, but they are confident of a good performance.

Saracens have mixed results

Orrell ....41 Saracens...14

SARACENS had to travel with a very young side due to injuries and late withdrawals and it was soon apparent that Orrell were anxious to avenge a heavy defeat at Cross Green as their line-up included a number of signings from Wigan Warriors.

Saracens made a good start and Simon Hawkins gave them the lead with a penalty but the injury jinx struck again and colts Peter White and Matty Birch were both injured.

Orrell took full advantage running in five tries to lead 27-3 at half-time.

Saracens were playing with great spirit in adversity and with excellent tackling and

covering they restricted Orrell to one further try.

Simon Hawkins kicked two penalties to cancel out two by Orrell and in a grandstand finish they were rewarded with a try to Ian Spence following strong pressure.

Waterloo...0 Saracens...20

ONCE again Saracens had to make last minute changes due to injuries and representative calls and colt Richard Wiggins and veteran Mike Gillson came into the front row.

Skipper and Gas from the Green

correspondent Sam Gardner rallied his team with a call for enthusiasm and commitment and they responded with both.

They had to repel early pressure before breaking out and excellent handling was rounded off with a try for the skipper.

The conversion was missed but Simon Hawkins made no mistake with a penalty shortly after to make it 8-0 at half-time.

Saracens had their tails up now as they swarmed all over the bigger home side and winning quick ball they stretched the Waterloo defence.

Will Darby, operating at full-back, used his pace to good effect and winger Jonathan Bennett was put away for a brace of tries.

Simon Hawkins, who varied his tactics well at fly-half, added a conversion.

This was a superb team effort and it was a happy coach that came back over the Pennines, as Blundelsands has not yielded many wins in the past.