NEW coach Kris Stafford is delighted with the progress Old Otliensians have made this season.

The Chaffers Field club are currently second in Yorkshire Division Three and looking strong contenders for promotion.

They are currently eight points behind leaders Northallerton after winning ten of their first 12 matches and have played one game less than their rivals.

Stafford, a former Ilkley second row said: "At the halfway point of the season things are looking very positive.

"In pre-season we introduced a new playing framework and the lads have embraced it and worked incredibly hard to learn it."

Otliensians play an exciting brand of running rugby and that is reflected in them being the highest scorers in their division.

"At one point we had conceded the least amount of points in the Northern Division, too" said Stafford.

"This has been achieved by the commitment from the players through their availability and training since the season started.

"We have managed to keep consistency in selection, and this has added value to the winning formula."

Stafford is in no doubt about his personal highlights – an away win against Hemsworth and the home victory over against Leeds Modernians.

"Hemsworth were a physical side and they made us work hard for the win in tough conditions away from home," he said.

" We showed great resilience and mindset in that performance, and the lads worked hard for the full 80 minutes and achieved a fair result."

Stafford added: "The game against Leeds Modernians was a great win against local rivals, and we demonstrated that we can compete up front as well as in the backs, which is a great asset moving into the winter period."

The coach is in no doubt about his biggest disappointment – the 29-17 away defeat against Leeds Medics & Dentists.

"We underestimated them, arrived with the wrong mindset and they made us suffer because of it," Stafford said. "Hopefully that won’t happen again this season."

As well as pushing for promotion, Otliensians have an eye on a possible Twickenham appearance in the RFU National Vase.

Last season's Yorkshire Silver Trophy winners certainly made an impressive start with a club-record 126-0 first-round win over Wallsend.

Stafford said: "They turned up in great spirits and caught us on a day when everything clicked.

"After losing to Northallerton the week before the lads responded accordingly with the 126-0 win."

Otliensians know there is plenty of hard work ahead, not least as they tackle a run of fixtures at the start of the new year that will test their promotion credentials

They play Wensleydale (home), Aireborough (away), Hemsworth (home), Northallerton (away) and Sheffield Medics (home).

"We need to be on form to get wins in these fixtures. If we can start the second half of the season in a similar way to the first half, then we will be in a strong position for promotion.

"The lads know how hard they are going to have to work and we are under no illusions how hard it will be. Mindset and resilience have to continue to be our buzz words.

"If we get this right, we should have a very promising season which will hopefully finish with trip to Twickenham.”