WITH further improvements Cross Green is looking resplendent and there is an eager an-ticipation as Otley await the opening of their National One campaign with a visit from Bedford on Saturday.

They will be anxious to improve on last season's results when they felt that they had made a present of both games to the Midlanders, rare blemishes on a successful season.

The training has gone well with victories in both warm-up games against Boroughmuir and Bradford an Bingley.

The one drawback has been the broken wrist sustained by influential full-back Ian Shuttleworth which will keep him side-lined for a few more weeks.

A rib injury keeps Alistair Monks out of consideration.

Second row Jason Oakes is raring to go after his close season operation and powerful open side prop Justin Wring has recovered from an ankle injury, which kept him out of the pre-season games.

New centre Chris Hyndman, signed from Northampton, will be making his debut but the squad reads very much as last year, the only other new name being 20 year-old South African Robin Kitchen.

Otley's team for the clash with Bedford will be selected from: Ro-que, Kitchen, Sovatabua, Mooney, Hyndman, Whatmuff, Binns, Brown, Scully, Wring, Sayers, Steele, Luffman, Full-man, Trethewey, Oakes, Parr, Williams, Connor, Stockdale, Tiffany, Pike, Bland, Wilson.

Advance match tickets are now on sale to the general public for the game against NEC Harlequins on Saturday, September 10, with tickets priced at £12 for ground admission and £8 for concessions.

Entrance to the grandstand is an extra £2. This is payable on entrance to the stand.

The club strongly advises people who wish to attend this prestigious and historic game to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid any unnecessary delays at the turnstiles.

Car parking will be limited on the ground to the outer car park as the inner car park will be closed to ensure adequate circulation of spectators within the confines of Cross Green.

However, the usual parking facility at Craftsman Tools in Bremner Street opposite the ground will be available.

Tickets for the Harlequins game can be purchased from club secretary Marc Lawrence during office hours or by forwarding a cheque made payable to Otley RUFC to the club office in Cross Green, Otley. Tickets will also be on sale when Otley open their National One programme at home to Bedford Blues on Saturday. Marc Lawrence can be contacted on 01943 461180 or 07949 272434.