Though they defended well in the first quarter of the game the home side became too hot to handle though their back took a long time to get their act together. They scored a good individual try after 26 minutes and followed up with another before half time when the score was 17-3, Alex Dus had kicked a penalty.

The Reds were desparately short of possession from line out where they had 2 young debutant locks and their scrummage ball was constantly destroyed by the stronger Otley pack. Despite the best efforts of Liam Hogan and evergreen Nick Oates Wetherby made little ground.

Without quality ball the promising Wetherby backline had to concentrate their efforts on defending, whereas the home attack scored a procession of second half tries. It was only in the last 5 minutes that the visitors upped their game and Jonny Wheatley scored an interception try from long range.

Wetherby host Halifax Vandals in a league game next Saturday at Grange Park at 3pm and it is to be hoped that some of the many notable absentees will be available for selection. It will however be after Christmas before such influential players as skipper James Gibson, playmakers Myles Oates and Andy Trotman come back.