OTLEY RUFC
The Tynedale 1st XV travel down to Yorkshire again this week, to play against our old friends at Otley. Any Tynedale supporter who has never been to Otley RUFC should really make the effort – there are very few grounds and clubhouses steeped with such good, “old-fashioned” rugby pedigree.

Back at Tynedale Park our Raiders now take on Alnwick II in a league match, our Hadrians are at home to Percy Park Lions in a Merit Table game whilst our Centurions are now playing Blaydon
Our Colts travel to play Gala Wanderers in the Border League on Saturday but they do not have a Sunday fixture.
Again, lots of good rugby going on.

OTLEY
What will the Tynedale team and supporters find when they get there?
“There is much to see in Otley. An ancient bridge of seven arches; numerous old coaching inns and a church which has its origins in Norman days. Above the narrow streets of Otley rises the Chevin, a great hill ridge with a glorious panoramic view of the gleaming river amongst the woods and meadows, and down below is the market town.” ‘English Rugby Clubs’ Chris Harte.
Two famous personalities who were born in Otley were Thomas Chippendale in 1718, and even more familiar to rugby fans, Mike Tindall, (b.1978), the Rugby World Cup winning centre who is married to Zara (nee Phillips), the King’s niece.
Otley RUFC’s ground, Cross Green, hosted the famous North 21-9 victory over the All Blacks in 1979. The North were the only team to beat the New Zealanders on that eleven-match tour. Otley also hosted the North v Australia match in 1988 and the Italy v USA tie in the 1991 Rugby World Cup.

STORM BERT
A fortnight ago the ‘trip’ to Hull Ionians proved to be very dramatic, with road delays and snowdrifts making the journey quite hazardous. Tyne spirit seemed to overcome the difficult weather they faced (both before and during the match), coming home with a very meritorious 20-16 victory while the Raiders, who accompanied the 1stXV, came away with an excellent 22-10 win.
What can we expect this week? Better weather? Another good result?
Should we be hoping for more snow?

OTLEY/TYNEDALE MATCHES
Over the past two seasons matches between the clubs have been remarkably close with two wins each.
1st October 2022 - Tynedale 22 Otley 25
29th April 2023 - Otley 22 Tynedale 24
11th November 2023 - Otley 31 Tynedale 26
9th March 2024 - Tynedale 24 Otley 22

In 21 league matches between the clubs Tynedale have the edge winning 12 (568 points) as opposed to Otley’s 7 wins (463 points) – 2 matches have been drawn.

OTLEY THIS SEASON
Otley have had a mixed season to date with their home form making up for a disappointing set of away results following their impressive opening day victory away at Hull.
In the league Otley sit one place above Tynedale with 2 more league points
Whichever way you look at it Saturday is sure to be another tough, competitive match.

Otley’s league results to date:-
Hull 12 Otley 13
Otley 20 Leeds Tykes 24
Billingham 19 Otley 17
Otley 44 Wharfedale 31
Sheffield 38 Otley 15
Otley 45 Preston Grasshoppers 22
Lymm 53 Otley 22
Otley 19 Chester 14
Fylde 56 Otley 29
Otley 24 Sheffield Tigers 24
Harrogate 39 Otley 7

OFFICIALS
Referee: David Charlton
AR1: Graham Bentley
AR2: Jono Sidwell-Keeton

GROUND
Cross Green,
Otley
West Yorkshire
LS21 1HE
07879 082058

OTLEY WEBSITE
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/otley

CORBRIDGE TO OTLEY
107 miles ( 2hrs 3mins)

WEATHER FORECAST
Rain, strong north-westerly wind, 5 degrees

OTHER TYNEDALE (Senior Section) MATCHES THIS WEEKEND

SATURDAY
Tynedale Raiders v Alnwick II (2pm) – CanDY League 1
Tynedale Hadrians v Percy Park Lions (2pm) – Merit Table
Tynedale Centurions v Blaydon (2pm) - friendly
Gala Wanderers v Tynedale Colts (2pm) – Border League

SUNDAY
Tynedale Colts – no fixture

SELECTED SQUADS