In the last two games between Otley and Hull, albeit at Cross Green, Otley have managed to score an impressive 75 points against their opponents whilst keeping clean sheets in both games. In travelling down the M62 this weekend, Otley will be facing a side fighting to stay in this league. While they are just outside the drop zone, the two teams below them have the same number of points as Hull (38). There is a also yawning (11) points gap between Hull and the team above them, and so every game for Hull is a ‘must win’.

In the Cross Green game earlier this season the result was 30-0, it should also remembered that a similar Hull side had beaten Caldy 44-15 two weeks previously. The week before we drew with Caldy, Hull played Caldy at Paton Field and the result was a lot closer – the home side winning 15-13.

Jamie Foster , the former St.Helens, Bradford Bulls and Hull FC player, makes his first start for Hull this week at full-back. In addition, their subs bench will be boosted by the return of loan player Jonny Matthews - ex of Otley and who was spotted at Cross Green last weekend.

Last weekend Hull played Leicester Lions at their Ferens Ground, and won 27-0. Hopefully we will be able to play to our strengths and show the determination that achieved the draw last week for the full 80 in our remaining matches. Whatever the score, we don’t want the weather to spoil the match as it did last time we went to Hull RUFC. The match ended 12-3 with both players and supporters unable to see what was happening due to poor light and fog.

First XV team:
George Burkinshaw, Ben Steele, Mark Chivers, Sam Cook, Jack Scott-Paul, Stephen Costello, Matt Heaton, Freddie Watson, Stephen Depledge, James White, Harry Hudson, Mike Coady, Henry Roberts, Alex Beaumont and Kristian Sharples
Subs:
Chad Harris, Harry Wales, Jonathan Stannard, Charlie Parker and Nazir Karim

Saracens:
Sam Pickering, Ed Goodwill, Bruce Cowley, Matt Tenniswood, Ross Bannatyne, Stuart Gregg, Joe Armitage, Charlie Maunder, James Matthews, Ben Fairclough, Jamel Karim, Andy Taylor, Nick Keinhorst, Danny Elliott and Ben Mays

For those going to Hull – HU5 4EF

From the M62 continue onto the A63 for approximately 15 mile before turning left onto the A1079 Ferensway (signposted Beverley). Continue onto onto Beverley Road and after going under a railway bridge, turn left at traffic lights onto Cottingham Road (Lidl store on left). At fourth set of traffic lights, turn left onto Chanterlands Avenue, contining past the Cemetery and Crematorium and the ground is on the right.

If you can’t make it across to Hull, go down to Cross Green to watch the Saracens play Sheffield. Doubtless the lads will want to redress the balance in that the away fixture. It was the only league game they lost (33-24) in the opening eight games.