Cross Green staged a 2016 mud-fest opener on Saturday to overcome a battling Huddersfield, Otley settling the home crowd’s nerves early on. They won a penalty at the first scrum in the third minute, skipper Stephen Depledge kicking towards the clubhouse corner, and lock Declan Dunn being driven over from the line-out.

With the heavy rain in the preceding hours, it was touch and go whether the game would go ahead. Volunteers worked on the pitch and the referee (Neil Chivers) got down about 10.30am saying the match was on but that if there was any more rain, he would have to review it.
Otley got their second try in the 15th minute, full back Henry Roberts having gathered an opposition clearance kick, ran in front of the grandstand and then he found right winger James Wood. He then ran the touchline before finding Depledge with a beautifully-timed inside pass, the scrum half scooting down the touchline to score.

Centre Elliot Hodgson, who looked Huddersfield's most dangerous player, sliced through Otley’s defence two minutes later but went himself, rather than seeking a colleague, and Otley won a penalty at the breakdown. The first four penalties all went to Otley but the next four were Huddersfield's, resulting in the home side being starved of possession and visiting fly half Chris Bell landing a penalty in the 22nd minute.

But on the half-hour, Otley's well-drilled driving maul came to the fore again after a penalty went in their favour, with Dunn claiming his second try, despite the forwards having further to go this time. Stephen Depledge added the extras with the conversion. Despite getting them into promising positions Huddersfield were unable to alter the score having missed a penalty attempt, a combination of Otley’s defence or taking the wrong option, and at half time score remained 17-3.

The second half started with Huddersfield in the ascendancy, some good interlinked passing by them came down the far touchline unfortunately came to nothing when the ball was knocked on in the tackle. Otley’s response was swift, with Stephen Depledge kicking the ball back into the opposition half. Spurred on, Huddersfield sensed an opportunity and upped their game. The pressure finally told on Otley and accurate handling brought ex-Otley player Adam Malthouse a try, Chris Bells’ conversion bringing the visitors within touching distance.

Otley were also looking for a bonus point and turned up the heat, finally making it into Huddersfield’s 22 in the final quarter. They began to kick and it was their turn to spoil chances, time after time hammering the opposition’s line only to suffer a turnover or concede penalties. However, with some five minutes to go, their reward came. Otley took a scrum against the head in the far right corner, and then moved the ball closer to the posts. Huddersfield’s Ross Thornton, defending at the posts, was given a yellow card and replacement fly-half Josh Cruise made the game safe with an easy penalty.