Otley duo press international claims (From Wharfedale Observer)

Otley duo press international claims

6:00am Thursday 11th October 2012 in Sport By Alan Birkinshaw, Weeklies Sports Editor

Two of Otley’s talented young rugby players have been pressing their international claims this week.

Stand-off Ben Cooper and flanker Jonathan Matthews have been away training with the Scotland under-20 squad.

Both have made impressive starts to their careers at Cross Green and have helped the club to win five of its first six National League Two North games.

Cooper kicked two penalties and three conversions in last Saturday’s 32-20 win over Caldy, while Matthews ran in a try.

Player coach Tom Rock has been delighted with the pro- gress the two teenagers are making.

He said: “They both have a lot of potential and have settled into the side well.

“They are still inexperienced in senior rugby and have things to learn, but they have both performed extremely well.

“Ben has made the step up from school rugby and shown that he is a player with a bright future.

“He knows how to control the game and his accurate goal kicking has been a bonus after the problems we had last season.”

On Matthews, Rock said: “He is a strong lad who fully deserves his place in the team. He has been playing well.”

For Saturday’s trip to lowly Hull, Otley will be without their try-scoring No8 Daniel Temm who suffered a cut shin in the win over Caldy.

Rob Ofoa Peterson, who made his return as a replacement against Caldy, is one of the candidates to replace Temm.