Bans are big blow to Otley (From Wharfedale Observer)

Bans are big blow to Otley

10:10pm Thursday 19th April 2012 in Sport By Bill Marshall, T&A Sports Reporter

Otley have suffered a couple of big blows ahead of their must-win SSE National League Two North match at home to Stockport on Saturday.

Second row Simon Willet has been suspended for 23 weeks for making contact with the eye area of an opponent, while flanker Daniel Temm has received a six-week ban for stamping.

Willet was found guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship by making contact with the eye or eye area of an opponent during the match at Luctonians on March 24.

Willet, who denied the charge, was cited by the home team.

His suspension will run from April 18 to May 31 and again from August 16 to December 13.

Temm was found guilty of stamping on an opponent during the same match.

The former Halifax player, who admitted the charge, was suspended from April 11 to May 24.

He was also cited by Luctonians, who had lock Alex Davidson was suspended for three weeks after he was sent off for stamping on an opponent in the same game.

Davidson admitted a charge contrary to Law 10(4)(b).

He was suspended from April 18 to May 9 and will be free to play again on May 10.

The panel comprised Mike Hamlin (chairman), John Brennan and Peter Rhodes.

A rare piece of good news for Otley this week was the selection of winger James Twomey for England Students in today's Home Nations Sevens Tournament in Nottingham.

Fourth-from-bottom Otley are not currently in a relegation berth but are in danger of being overtaken by Harrogate, who are a place below them and only four points behind with a game in hand.