Otley play for pride and parachute pay (From Wharfedale Observer)

Otley play for pride and parachute pay

12:00pm Thursday 9th April 2009

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Otley 29 Manchester 18

Already relegated due to the massive re-organisation of National League One, in future to be known as the Championship, Otley are now playing for pride, plus the parachute payment to be made to the extra three clubs going down who, at the start of the season, would have expected to be safe.

There are to be vast ramifications to that league with a cup competition involving the three Celtic Unions. Is this what supremo Rob Andrew has been doing with his time?

Having played well over the last couple of games, Otley’s last week’s victors, Coventry - who were quite relieved to have won - knocked Exeter out of the title race on Saturday.

Otley’s precise rugby secured them two fine tries within six minutes of kick-off, Manchester unable to get a touch of the ball but they struck back to cause a little concern in the home ranks and although never conceding the lead it was Dan Hyde’s try in added time which calmed the nerves.

Attacking from Manchester’s kick-off they looked confident but a dropped pass allowed the visitors to clear to half-way where a quick throw-in gave No7 Xavier Andre a chance to run through the middle before moving the ball out to No 4 Max Lewis.

He put in a kick which bounced well down the touch-line to put the defence in trouble and Manchester’s No 6 Matthew Owen was given an early visit to the sin-bin.

Securing a five metre line-out Otley made short work of scoring, a fine catch by Paul Williams, along with Lewis immaculate in the line, set up the drive and Ben Steele wriggled over, fly half Adam Greendale converting.

Coming straight back from the drop-out, they drove into the Manchester 22 where No 8 Mike McComish threw a long pass to winger Steve Parsons, who cut inside to force his way over, Greendale again converting.

Manchester regrouped well and on their first attack got second row Paul Ralph over, fly half Thomas Eaton converting.

Eight minutes later Manchester got perilously close to equalising, centre Patrick Leach scoring from a breakaway only for the conversion to pass wide.

Greendale added a penalty but after the break Eaton kicked one for Manchester. Otley replied with a superb try, Williams sliding through in midfield in a most accomplished manner.

He then handed on for winger Peter Hackett to race round his opposite number before finding full-back Alistair Monks on his inside to outdistance the cover, Greendale again converting.

Replacement fly half Andrew Taylor kicked a penalty to make the lead just six points with about ten minutes remaining, so the skipper’s try was met with great relief and the double was in the bag.

On Saturday Otley travel across to Manchester to take on third from bottom Sedgley Park in search of a second double, having secured a 14-7 victory back in November.

Their two outstanding games have been re-scheduled and now they travel to Exeter next Saturday and play Moseley at Cross Green on Saturday, May 9.

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