Report by: Nick Doyle

OTLEY played what should have been their final match of last season against Blaydon on Saturday, although this game was a pre-season friendly in readiness for the coming season.

The Cross Greeners were keen to build on their earlier success last week against Heath, and within three minutes of kicking off they got a scrum followed by a penalty in Blaydon’s 22. However, they lost the line out and an opportunity went begging. Undaunted they got another penalty mid-way through the first quarter which went into the clubhouse corner. This time they gathered the ball cleanly, Joe Rowntree then sending a long ball to Duncan Darling who scored under the posts with Gavin Stead getting the first of three conversions. The remainder of the quarter was played between the two 22s.

Early in the second quarter Blaydon were caught offside, Otley putting the ball into the scoreboard corner. Their pack moved the ball towards the whitewash, Ryan Gibson touching down. Otley’s dominance was becoming apparent, and from a line-out in their own 22 they were soon in the opposition 22 with Eddie Crossland being held up over the line. Otley’s next attack saw Blaydon reduced to 14 men after a yellow card, Otley opting for a scrum in the clubhouse corner. Another scrum followed after a further penalty award, and on the third scrum some nifty footwork ended with Crossland going over. This quarter ended with some slick passing down the left hand flank with Louis Martin touching down, Joe Rowntree getting the conversion to make the score 28-0.

Now playing in the opposite direction, Blaydon started with renewed vigour and got a penalty which they put down the right hand side. However, they were thwarted when Alex Jackson jumped to pluck the ball out of the air. Now in possession, No 8 Chris Jackson and centre Josh Sarsfield worked their way alongside the grandstand to set up Will Martindale for Otley’s fifth try. Rowntree added the conversion. The quarter ended with Blaydon’s Oliver Dynan coming off the back of a scrum to score.

Otley went to town in the final quarter scoring 31 unanswered points. Their kick-off bounced untouched into Blaydon’s dead ball area. After Blaydon kicked it out, Rory Gaffney came roaring back from 40 yards out to score with Crossland getting the conversion having taken over kicking duties. Otley’s next try came after they moved in from the left, second row George Bowen scoring under the posts. Their next two tries came from Darling. He collected a Blaydon clearance kick and working with his team mates, sped up the cricket side of the pitch, the ball coming back to him in time for him to score. With some three minutes left, his second came after Blaydon’s fly half was stopped in his tracks when he lost possession, Otley moved the ball to the right for Darling’s hat trick.

There was still time for Otley to get their tenth try. Ex-Morley player Bowen scored after Otley’s rolling maul had guided him towards the line from some twenty metres out – that score bringing the match to a close.