Match Preview Friday 22nd January
Rishworthians resume action with a tough fixture at Yorkshire Three's early high flyers Old Otliensians. The Otley side had been tipped as promotion favourites till they came up against Rishworthians early in October. The Copley men's 20 - 19 home scoreline does not sound that convincing, but their performance that day makes them confident they can do the double. Since that clash, the previously undefeated Otley side have had a change in fortunes and currently lie mid table in the division topped by Rishworthians.

With only injured winger Nick Faulkner missing, the Copley men can put out a strong back line-up with Chris Flanagan returning to take his place. They retain the same pack that was so dominant over Aireborough in their last outing shortly before Christmas. That victory allowed them to open a four-point gap at the top of the table. Another win would cement their position, especially with main rivals Roundhegians having a difficult game at home to Aireborough.

Match report Saturday 23rd January Yorkshire 3
The enforced lay-off told on Rishworthians as they struggled to get their game going throughout this Yorkshire Three match. It was their poorest display of the season, but even then they might have won it right at the end until they finally ran out of "get out of jail" cards. Seemingly looking like hanging on for a win, they managed to throw it away by allowing the hosts to score a try and then came back in the dying minutes before doing the same again.

With only three minutes left the Otley side tried to run the clock down, but were finally forced into giving away a penalty close to the halfway line. With the last act of the game Jamie Bloem stepped up to take the long range attempt and snatch victory. His kick had the distance, but drifted agonisingly wide of the left upright.

While both sides looked rusty the home team seemed to have more drive than Rishworthians, although it was the visitors who took the initial lead with an Aaron Canning penalty. The hosts levelled almost immediately and then went ahead with a further penalty before Canning in turn made it 6 - 6. Rishworthians then had their best spell of the game and constant pressure from the pack finally forced a penalty try, to which Canning added a conversion to give the visitors a 13 - 9 half-time lead.

Half time Otliensians 9 - 13 Rishworthians

The home side came out in a determined mood in the second half and the Rishworthian defence had to be strong with centre Chris Flanagan and wing Anthony Shoesmith putting in a number of good tackles. In a rare moment of pressure Bloem almost put Shoesmith in with a fine cross-kick, but Otliensians came straight back and from a melee near the visitors' line a player emerged with the ball and passed to the wing for a try in the corner.

Rishworthians looked dead and buried when a home drop goal extended the lead soon after and then fullback Joe Billing was sin binned after an innocuous looking fracas. Instead it spurred them on. A catch and drive from a lineout near the home line was pulled down for another penalty. Rishworthians opted for another lineout and repeated the move, with flanker Ben Robinson making another catch before being driven over by the pack. Number eight James Clarke got the touchdown and Canning added the conversion to give the visitors a three-point lead with only a few minutes left.

It was then that Rishworthians' defence finally let them down and ineffective tackling allowed a try in the corner. There seemed little chance of a result until the final penalty and Bloem was unable to snatch an unlikely victory.

Full time Otliensians 22 - 20 Rishworthians

The man of the match was awarded to .

Otliensians website