Injury jinx is really hurting Otley's hopes

With a run of tough fixtures coming up which sees them host Earth Titans from Rotherham on Saturday and go to Plymouth on December 16 before taking on the new leaders Leeds Tykes at Headingley on Christmas Eve, they are desperately in need of a change of luck on the injury front.

It was no surprise that at Nottingham they couldn't maintain the form they showed in defeating league leaders Cornish Pirates the previous week because their side was again ravaged.

That memorable win had come at a cost because Robin Kitching suffered a detached muscle during the match while Rob Whatmuff picked up a neck injury and skipper Ian Shuttleworth was still unfit after being heavily tackled.

They joined the long term absentees Steve Parsons, Nathan Bland, Paul Williams and Kyle Dench on an injury list which was lengthened still further when Paul Mooney broke an arm at Nottingham.

Otley's suffering didn't stop there. Maifea Maifea took his place at centre, despite having been ill over the previous few days, but he had to retire after 55 minutes and the depleted back row lost James Tiffany at half-time along with hooker Duncan Sayers.

All these changes meant constant alteration to the team's make-up with prop Alistair Livesey being the only sub remaining when centre Mooney departed.

So it was no surprise that the home back row had a field day and line-out possession suffered as a result of the loss of key men.

Otley's causes wasn't helped with yellow cards for Maifea after 12 minutes and Mooney (53).

Surprisingly it was Otley who took an early lead when Simon Binns slotted over a penalty.

Otley have enjoyed dominance over Nottingham in recent encounters, but on this occasion the home side sensed they could take their revenge.

The home pack had the edge over their opponents and that was reflected when they drove over for tries after eight and 13 minutes. Prop Nigel Hall and hooker Joe Duffy were the scorers with fly half Tom Barlow converting the second try.

Despite this setback Otley settled to their task and desperate measures in defence cost Nottingham three penalties which Binns nonchalantly knocked over.

Otley's joy at levelling the scores was short lived, Nottingham flanker Alex Loney was driven over just before the break.

A fifth penalty from Binns was nullified by one from Barlow, but a spectacular try on 59 minutes brought Otley right back into the game.

Binns, with a high cross kick of pin-point accuracy from inside his own half, found Danny Smith who caught the ball on the fall to race in from 40 metres. Binns converted to level the scores again.

Unfortunately the home backs for once found a way through, replacement winger Warren Coles going in at the corner and as Otley struggled under their enforced changes Duffy was pushed over for his second try which Barlow converted.

Otley almost salvaged a bonus point when they drove over but the referee ruled that the ball had been held up and before the scrum could take place he blew the final whistle.

Otley Saracens 24 Wharfedale 27 Meetings between these two teams are normally spirited encounters and this was no exception.

After an initial sounding out period it was Otley who took the lead when Robbie Westworth made a darting run before giving Phil Howell a reverse pass and he raced over.

The young Saracens side were moving the ball quickly and when they kicked ahead winger Hebditch was held back, but a quick tap from the penalty was knocked on.

It was end-to-end but it was Otley who stretched the lead when excellent inter-passing in the backs saw James Raikes go over in the corner.

Dale rallied and when Otley infringed at the breakdown they took the three points to make it 10-3 at half-time.

Wharfedale stepped up a gear after the restart and things became heated resulting in a yellow card for Paul Turner. Dale took full advantage gaining a turnover before driving over.

Otley put on Matt Barratt and Harrison for Hainsworth and Fear but the Green Machine' was in full flow and they won the race to a kick ahead to take the lead for the first time.

Otley hit straight back and after a spell of pressure Barratt created space in midfield for Hebditch and he made no mistake giving Otley the lead again when Howell added the conversion.

Otley hit straight back from the restart when Zahir gathered and made ground before releasing the backs for Hebditch to race over and Howell converted.

Otley made the fateful mistake of taking their foot off the pedal and after another scuffle a missed tackle saw Dale take full advantage and reduce the deficit to 24-20.

In injury time, with a lot of the supporters having retired to the warmth of the clubhouse, Dale stole an Otley ball at the breakdown to make the winning score to end a game in which there was a marked lack of festive spirit, but it showed there is a lot of potential in this Otley young side.