Otley’s director of rugby James Tiffany was delighted as his team overcame a first half deficit against Wharfedale. Otley came out strong winners in their final warm-up match before the start of the 2013-14 season. Although billed as a friendly, once the pleasantries had been dispensed with this turned out to be the usual front-up “derby” with no quarter asked or given.

Otley began strongly but a turnover gave former Otley winger Oliver Cicognini evaded 3 tackles to cross in the left corner for an early try, which was converted by Tom Barrett. Otley were not to be outdone and after five minutes into the game were level. Stephen Depledge rounding off an incisive move under the posts, full-back Mark Ireland confidently adding the extras.

Wharfedale extended their lead to 17-7 with a penalty followed a converted mauled try, the latter while skipper Adam Blades was in the sin-bin. Mark Ireland redressed some of the balance with his first penalty of the game, but it was Wharfedale who crossed the line next. Their scrum-half, the diminutive Philip Woodhead was difficult to tackle as he swerved his way through Otley’s defence to make the score 24-10.

Otley, stung by the widening gap, began to settle into their game plan, with the forwards driving well and the backs showing their paces, and they were rewarded in the third minute of added time when scrum half Stephen Depledge, backing up a forward drive, dived over, Ireland making no mistake with the conversion.

At half time the score was 24-17, at which point James Tiffany’s team talk had the desired effect. Within 5 minutes of the restart, courtesy of Mark Ireland’s second penalty. This was followed by James Wood’s try in the scoreboard corner, although Mark’s conversion was wide.

Wharfedale retook the lead with a drop goal before Otley’s No Daniel Temm, who had troubled the home side throughout the match, took his opportunity after 55 minutes. From a Wharfedale lineout in the visitor’s half, he managed to secure the ball and then embarked on a dazzling run down the right wing, cutting on late on to make the conversion easier for Mark Ireland.

Wharfedale managed to reduce the deficit to 5 with 15 minutes to go, and try as they might they were unable to trouble the scorers further. However they did come close, centre Nick Taylor knocked-on as he crossed the Otley line.

After the match James Tiffany made his feelings known saying “At times we got it wrong and went a bit overboard but we also showed some fantastic play and skill. I told the boys at full time though that we might have lost more than we gained from ill discipline. During the match we picked up two yellows, the second being quickly ramped up to a red for ‘heat of the moment comments’ and Mike Coady subsequently apologized for them.

Nevertheless Otley’s new DoR was pleased saying “It was a real test and I was really happy with the performance against a strong side who play to a strong tempo. But it means nothing now unless we can take that through to the start of the new season.” We’ve set up certain goals and achieved them but we’re still a work in progress. We’ve gained a lot of confidence and a lot of the boys are in good form and put their hands up for selection, which gives me a good headache.