Are Otley on the slide?

COVENTRY...............24

THE frustrations of the Otley crowd are starting to surface after living off a tide of success in recent seasons. A section of the crowd made their feelings known in Saturday's clash with Coventry - so much so that at one point home hooker Duncan Sayers appealed to the crowd to stop criticising the players and to get behind them.

Supporters must realise - just as they must over the hill at Guiseley AFC - that clubs who make a rapid rise then tend to level out and even fall backwards again if they cannot keep up with the big money boys.

Despite the defeat Otley picked up a bonus point that moved them up a place albeit they are still in the relegation zone.

Otley have now lost eight of their nine league matches and fortress Cross Green is something of the past.

Otley however have not been totally outclassed as three of their defeats - against Birmingham/Solihull, Manchester and Bedford - have all been within a score.

Against Coventry Otley again were left to rue a host of squandered chances with penalties and try scoring opportunities going by the wayside.

Despite outscoring their visitors 12-6 in the second-half with scrum-half Andy Brown transforming his dull first-half endeavours into a sparkling display - Coventry managed to hang on.

Coventry won the contest in midfield where No 8 Julian Horrobin was at the heart of things but it was Otley who had started the better. James Lofthouse scored his first try for the club finishing off a move in which Brown and Jon Burke had stretched the defence.

Lofthouse added the conversion. Coventry replied with a Horrobin try but Ian Shuttleworth almost restored Otley's lead when his break took him within inches of the line. Lofthouse mis-hit a drop goal attempt after turning down a straightforward kick at goal from a penalty.

A wayward penalty kick by Lofthouse then saw Coventry punish Otley with centre Mike Davies touching down. Martyn Davies added a penalty before winger Jamie Elphick extended the lead with a try.

Otley came more to the fore in the second-half with tries by No 8 Lee Denham and Andy Brown but Coventry kept in front thanks to two further penalties from Davies.

Otley will be looking forward to the return of coach Peter Clegg after his seven weeks in Australia as they bid to improve their performance. Skipper Phil Griffin is also expected back after injury.

Stockton.........................18

Saracens..........................13

SARACENS, with a blank Saturday, arranged a pool fixture with Stockton First XV, who are in North Division One. Otley made the early running and took the lead when Ryan Duckett made a run out of defence before feeding Jonathan Bennett, who ran strongly for the try. Dan Clappison added the conversion.

Stockton soon realised that Saracens had the edge in the backs and began to use their pack to spoil Otley's possession.

Saracen's young front row stood up well in the set scrums but Stockton dominated the line-outs and it was no surprise when they drove over for a try which was converted to level the scores.

Keeping up the pressure the home scrum-half dropped a goal from close in to make it 10-7 at half-time.

Saracens injury jinx struck again when Gary Cassidy had to leave the field. Jonathan Bennett moved to scrum-half and Will Darby came on to the wing but whilst they were readjusting Stockton stretched the lead with another try which was not converted.

They gradually began to build momentum and Dan Clappison reduced the arrears with a penalty.

Saracens had bad luck again when Darren Leggett injured his hand and back row John Lloyd had to come on and operate in the second row. In the next attack Stockton got off-side and Dan Clappison kicked the penalty.

The home side hit back and their scrum-half clinched the win with another drop goal from close in. Saracens tried hard in adversity with Mark Billington and Alastair Monks combining well in the centre and Ryan Duckett sound at full-back.

Ian Spence and first team skipper Phil Griffin having run-out after injury, worked hard in the back row, and John Lloyd did well when he came on.

Tongans.............................13

Manchester........................15

TONGANS lost their first game of the season in a titanic struggle with Manchester Third team. Tongans were expecting a tough game and they were not disappointed. Will Foster was just wide with two penalty kicks before Tongans were shocked when Manchester scored a superb try from deep.

Otley hit back strongly and Will Foster reduced the arrears with a penalty. The visitors were defending strongly but they could do nothing when Martin Keeler powered over following pressure, Will Foster adding the conversion. Tim Westlake-Bryant was nearly over but he was tackled into the corner flag and it was 10-5 at half-time.

Will Foster stretched the lead with a penalty early in the second-half but Manchester were building pressure with good tactical kicking and eventually the pressure paid off when they drove over in the corner.

Tongans were tackling as though their lives depended on it but their cause not helped when they lost inspirational skipper Nick Girling with a neck injury.

They looked to have done enough when they broke out in the last minute to take play into the visitor's half but in trying to keep the ball alive they lost possession. Manchester, spotting some of Tongan's backs at the bottom of the heap, spread it wide and their winger just beat the cover to the corner.

The conversion was missed and the referee blew for time in a game which was an excellent advertisement for 15-man rugby with total commitment by both sides.

Viscounts.........................27

Cody-Owens XV.................5

IN an even first-half Viscounts took the lead with a Mike Gillson try converted by Jamie Chappell. Viscounts established control in the second-half and added tries through a second try for Mike Gillson and one each for Mike Blake and Maurice Lewis.

Jamie Chappell added a conversion and a penalty before Cody-Owens XV scored a consolation try in a game played in excellent spirit which also saw the appearance of several golden oldies.

l On Saturday Otley visit Manchester.