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Otley's Paul Williams

Otley 23 Blaydon 19

"A win is a win" said Clegg as his side returned from Blaydon with a result much closer than appeared likely after 60 minutes when Otley were 23-5 ahead and in complete command.

This means that they go into Saturday's fourth round of the National Cup with a string of seven victories on the trot whilst their opponents old rivals Bedford Blues, from Division One, have lost their last three games, to Esher, Nottingham and, not surprisingly, Northampton.

They are having, for them, a disappointing season with ten wins and nine defeats but there is no doubt that they will prove a handful.

Otley get a chance to assess how National Division One has been shaping up in their absence when they entertain Bedford (2pm) in a game which is a repeat of the previous cup meeting between the sides in Yorkshire two years ago to the day, when the Midlands side edged home 14-13.

"After the disappointment of being relegated last season we set ourselves the target of getting back into National One and having a decent run in the Trophy," said Director of Rugby Peter Clegg.

"We were hoping for one of the easier teams at this stage before pulling out one of the stronger teams like Bedford in the next round, but we're happy with the draw.

"Both sides know each other pretty well and we've a great respect for them. It will be interesting to see how things have changed in National One while we've been out of it. Has it moved on a great deal? Is it as before?

"The game will also provide a barometer of where we are in our development.

"It's certainly not a hindrance in terms of influencing our league hopes. We've had a relatively comfortable Christmas period and while we have one or two lads carrying injuries, I think the situation is manageable.

"Obviously we won't be picking anyone who needs a rest but otherwise we're treating it as a normal game. I've watched a video of their game against Esher and I'm looking forward to taking them on again."

Otley's squad is strengthened by the return of Howard Parr, who has filled his time as player/coach at Bury St Edmonds for the first half of the season and last Saturday had a run out at Blaydon, coming on for Nathan Bland who took a blow to the nose, after 58 minutes.

It is hoped that Adam Greendale will be available for Alastair Monks has not yet recovered from the knee injury he received at Blackheath.

Greendale played splendidly in Otley's three opening games before being re-called by Leeds where he was injured during his second match. He next turned out for Otley against Wharfedale at Cross Green just before Christmas.

Danny Smith missed Saturday's game with a muscle injury but is expected to be fit for the Cup game and apart from Guy Easterby and Dan Hyde everyone else is fit and available.

At Blaydon the Otley forwards were quick to show their power. A 25 metre drive ended with a scrum on the home five metre line but an infringement at the put-in cost them a free kick but they continued to boss the encounter.

Line-out jumpers Richard Snowball, Paul Williams and James Tiffany ensured 100 per cent of their own throw and much of the opposition and the defence was rock solid whenever Blaydon tried to attack.

They went ahead on 15 minutes when once again the forwards drove to the line only to concede a scrum but such was the pressure they exerted the clearance was poor, Kyle Dench catching and running back to give Steve Parsons, coming in from his wing, a half opening. He slipped a perfect pass to Ian Shuttleworth coming up on his outside.

Having missed a long range penalty Greendale made no mistake when offered an easier opportunity as Blaydon attempted to contain a furious series of pick and drive and a fine kick set up an attacking line-out which ended with Nathan Bland being driven over and Otley were in complete control.

Claiming the ball from their re-start after the break sharp handling had them back on the home line where Greendale kicked them further ahead with a penalty for off-side.

It appeared to be just a blip when fly-half Nicholas Gandy was allowed to charge through the middle, sweep through an intended tackle and put high scoring winger Adam Fenby over for Blaydon, full-back Daniel Kyle converting.

As if to prove the point Otley quickly responded when Matt Stockdale broke through to find Parsons, ever eager for work, coming in from his wing. He advanced before handing on to Greendale who finished off and added the conversion.

The last 20 minutes proved to be very frustrating. Far from advancing their cause they let Blaydon move too close for comfort with a second try for Fenby. Otley did have another opportunity to score with five minutes remaining. A penalty under the posts was kicked to the corner as Otley sought the bonus point. It looked like the visitors' pack were about to plough over but a mistake saw Blaydon clear their lines.

Otley then allowed a hitherto beaten Blaydon pack to drive over for Chilean back-rower Patricio Desmond to touch down, Kyle converting, leaving the Northerners surprised but happy with a bonus point.

Otley: Shuttleworth; Parsons, Whatmuff, Mooney, Dench (Buchanan 25); Greendale, McCormack; Trethewey (Wederall 55), Steele (Plevey 65), Fullman; Snowball, Williams; Tiffany, Bland (Parr 60), Stockdale.

10:50am Thursday 10th January 2008

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