Otley 55 Bradford & Bingley 19
Otley’s new director of rugby James Tiffany was delighted with the performance of the 30 players who played in Saturday’s practice match at Cross Green.
He was particularly pleased by the number of new players who showed potential to be first team squad members and they were given every opportunity to display their qualities.
The visitors gave them a hard time, testing their defence for long periods but Otley had the pace to take their chances and, with a strong representation in the first session – the match was split into three 20 minute periods – they moved 26 points ahead.
An almost complete change for the second period saw Otley take time to settle and the Bees opened their account.
Otley still managed to extend their lead before the Bees scored two tries in the final 20 minutes as both sides swapped their players around.
Tiffany knows that his squad face an altogether different test this Saturday when they travel to The Avenue to play his old club Wharfedale.
He said: “It is a nice challenge for us because it gives us the chance to test ourselves against a side from a higher league. It will show if we have the ability to challenge at the right end of National Two North.”
Otley have a couple of injury concerns with Simon Willett knee and stand off Ben Fairclough, head, the main ones.
They will be assessed before Saturday but with a long season ahead it is Otley are not likely to take any risks.
One player who put last season’s injury problems behind him and returned to action against Bradford & Bingley was winger James Wood.
He will benefit from another run out as Tiffany looks to bed in his new players. He is also encouraged by the presence of players like Jack Mackie and Joe Garforth who have come through the club ranks.
“It is important for clubs like us to have a strong structure which encourages their players to come right the way from the mini section to the first team.
“It doesn’t just happen overnight, but an important part of my role is to ensure we are all working to produce players for Otley.
“Wharfedale, who we visit on Saturday, have done that well over the years and now we must try and build on the strength of our mini and junior sections to produce more Otley players for our first team.”
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