BLACKHEATH........8

Otley...................55

OTLEY ended their league campaign in the style of true champions demolishing Blackheath on their home turf with winger Mark Kirkby notching a hat-trick of tries.

Kirkby's last try equalised his club record of 22 in a season as the former Bedford man helped Otley to clinch the Jewson One title, which was all but theirs with the home win over Bracknell the previous Saturday when the champagne flowed at Cross Green.

This was the icing on the cake for Peter Clegg's side and the credentials of the Jewson One Coach-of- the-Month were there for all to see as his side coasted to a superb win, their of the season.

A determined Blackheath side held Otley to 19-8 at the break but they were swept aside by the second-half assault.

The Otley forwards were always on top with Rob Lamb proving once again what an admirable stand-in he is for the now departed Duncan Sayers who is playing in New Zealand.

Centre Robert Whatmuff, who has had an excellent season which has been rewarded by the county selectors, cut the home defence to shreds to provide openings for Otley's back three who scored the majority of the tries.

His first incursion came in the second minute when he set up Simon Smith and the winger went over. Blackheath hit back with a try from their No 8 Chris Wilkins.

Kirkby then notched the first of his hat-trick when he raced from half-way.

Otley were pegged back when Blackheath scrum-half Rees Powell kicked a penalty.

Skipper Phil Griffin then broke a rib and had to be replaced by Jonathan Skurr and with virtually his first touch Skurr was put over by Andy Brown.

Brown threaded a kick through for Kirkby to run onto 15 minutes into the second-half and Kirkby touched down. Brown was then on the receiving end when Jonathan Burke put him in from a scrum.

Ryan Duckett, Andy Brown and Simon Smith all tracked Whatmuff as he finished a move and then in the final minute Kirkby completed his hat-trick.

Dan Clappison kicked four conversions and prop Ronnie Kelly kicked one.

Otley.- Duckett; Smith, Whatmuff, Billington, Kirkby; Clappison, Brown (Wright 68 mins); Kelly, Lamb, Rice (Hall 63 mins), Carroll, Williams, Curtis, Griffin (Skurr 32 mins), Burke.

Despite having to miss ten matches through injury and after cracking a rib 32 minutes into this game Otley skipper Phil Griffin declared himself delighted with his side's successful season.

He was adamant that it was due in no small way to the excellent team spirit which has pulled them through when things were not always going their way on the field.

Lafaele Filipo was suspended from this game having collected three yellow cards. it was his first absence of the season and left Dan Clappison as the only ever present in the side this season.

The celebrations went on well into the night and they will continue.

Otley Town Mayor John Eveleigh is hosting a civic reception for the side tomorrow, Thursday, and next Thursday, April 27, the supporters are entertaining the team.

Home supporters will have a chance to see the trophy when it is presented to the side on April 29 when Bradford and Bingley visit Cross Green in the Granville Clark Memorial Trophy.

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