Saracens....................50

Orrell........................19

DUE to injuries and illness the Saracens team was not finalised until shortly before kick-off. Andy Simpson and Chris Booth came into the front row and Ross Landeman and Graham Tasker into the back row but once the pack started to gell they produced a stream of possession for a lively back division.

The front row was solid and Steve Hudson and Darren Leggett won some good line-out ball whilst the back row were at the heart of things in the loose. Martin Hainsworth and Simon Hawkins were an effective half-back link with the latter being the focal point of a number of attacks.

Outside Sam Gardner and Alistair Monks were a lively centre partnership and with Ryan Duckett joining the line at will the visitors defence was kept at full stretch. Will Darby on the wing, who is in fine form at the moment, romped away for a brace of tries as did Ryan Duckett and Ross Landeman got another a reward for good support play. Simon Hawkins added four conversions.

Just before half-time Orrell scored a converted try when Saracens were day dreaming and it was 33-7 at the turn round.

Play was more even in the second-half but Darby completed his hat-trick with a tricky run to bring his season's total to 16. Ross Landeman and Ian Judson added tries, the latter following a powerful run. Simon Hawkins converted one.

The visitors gave a spirited performance in the second-half and were rewarded with a couple of tries, one of which was converted. This was a good team performance in this second team Merit table and will certainly have impressed the watching Mike Barnett.

Tongans.....................8

Wharfedale Rams......15

When Tongans' original opponents cancelled they arranged a pool fixture with Wharfedale Rams who are riding high at the top of Yorkshire Six and with several key players missing they knew they would have a tough task on their hands.

Both sides went at it hammer and tongs from the kick-off with the defence of both teams snuffing out any likely attacks. It was half-an-hour before there was a score and it was the visitors who created the opening and although their flanker was tackled short he managed to reach out and get the ball down on the line for the try, which was converted.

Tongans hit back but refused a penalty chance before a second chance was taken by Andy Edson. This was followed by an excellent try by Craig Jackson after good work by Mike Gillson and James Henry and it was 8-7 at half-time.

Dale quickly regained the lead on the restart when their fly-half kicked a superb penalty. This gave the visitors the impetus and they hammered away at the line before their big winger got over in the corner.

Tongans rallied and were just wide with two penalties but they nearly snatched a draw at the death when Adrian Keeler made a powerful run from deep and just when it looked as though he had a clear run. The Dale full-backs dive just tapped his ankle sufficient to spoil his balance and the ball was lost near the line. The whistle went to end a rip-roaring game played in excellent spirit.

Keighley Thirds...........0

Otley Viscounts............3

This was a dour game as the score suggests on a heavy pitch with an icy wind blowing down the slope. Viscounts had first use of the elements and took the lead with a Jamie Chappell penalty but as the pitch cut up they tended to get bogged down.

It was a similar pattern in the second-half and with Viscounts defending resolutely they kept their line intact for a narrow victory. John Richards, playing his first game for a year following a bad leg injury, came through satisfactorily.