Otley Rugby Union Football Club are still waiting to hear the outcome of their appeal over a deduction of five league points.

The hearing was in Stourbridge a week last Tuesday, and Otley’s secretary Marc Lawrence admitted: “I am extremely surprised that we haven’t heard the result yet.”

The points were taken away from Otley for playing Alexander Beaumont against Harrogate on Saturday, December 21.

The SSE National League Two North club did not realise that he was still registered with Durham & Northumberland Division Two side Whitby.

Having had their league match at Sheffield Tigers postponed last Saturday, Otley are confident that their home match this weekend against Sedgley Park will go ahead.

Lawrence said: “Of course, the pitch will be wet but it is flat and was rolled on Tuesday.”

The Sheffield Tigers game has been re-arranged for Saturday, February 22.

That was the date when the sides were due to meet in the Yorkshire Cup first round at Cross Green, and Lawrence revealed that Otley had offered to stage the match then as a second-team fixture at their ground.

He added: “Sheffield Tigers refused our offer so we have contacted Yorkshire Cups Competitions chairman Keith Dyas to rule on the matter and we are awaiting his reply.”

Otley prop Paul Hill, who is on loan at Cross Green from Leeds Carnegie, played for the whole 80 minutes as England under-20s went down 21-15 to France at Draguignan last Friday.

Hill has again been picked to start against Scotland tomorrow at Netherdale (7.30), the home of Gala Rugby Club.

He is partnered in the front row by hooker Jack Walker, the North Ribblesdale product who is a student at Prince Henry’s Grammar School and plays for Leeds Carnegie.