Promotion chasing Otliensians came to Grange Park looking for a repeat their earlier season thrashing of Wetherby but they came upon a Wetherby side looking to consolidate their league position and not get dragged into a relegation battle.

There were ominous signs for Wetherby when they had to defend Otley’s attacks for the first 5 minutes of the game. Then from a good tackle in midfield. The Reds came away with the ball, kicked ahead and Myles Oates was first to the ball to score. With their tails up the Wetherby pack out scrummaged the visitors taking 3 against the head in succession thanks to the Reds front row of Wrigglesworth, Lally and Pitchford . The battle went too and fro at a furious pace and just on half time Otleiensians equalised with a long distance try.

Wetherby came out strongly in the second half and after successive drives from penalties they were awarded a penalty close to the line. An Otley olayer had an unfortunate rush of blood kicking the ball away and the Referee awarded a penalty try which Alex Duss converted. ‘Ensians now put on the pressure seeking to maintain their league promotion spot and Wetherby helped them equalise again with some poor tackling allowing the Otley centre to weave his way to the posts for a converted try.

So with 15 minutes to go there was all to play for and The Reds kept trying to run the ball but regularly their wayward passing let them down. Their positive play paid off with only minutes to go when some brilliant handling put Jack Kaye in at the corner for a stunning victory which will put them in good heart for their visit to Halifax Vandals next week having risen 4 places in the league to 7th.