Otley Preview

Otley

V

Titans

National Division 1

26th December 2005

Cross Green

Kick Off 2.00pm

Andre Bester makes 6 changes to the starting fifteen that comprehensively beat Sedgley Park last time out.

The one change in the backs sees Gareth Brear come in on the wing for John Holtby who is suffering a minor injury. The front row rotation policy continues and Golding, Hanna and Rawson get the nod.

At lock, Louis McGowan returns for Gareth McComb and at open side Hendre Fourie is in for Neil Cochrane, this will be the first league game all season that Cochrane hasn’t started. That leaves Scott Donald as the only Roth player that has started every league game this season.

Earth Titans: 15 Errie Claassens, 14 Gareth Brear, 13 Lee Blackett (Capt), 12 WP Strauss, 11 David Strettle, 10 Mike Whitehead, 9 Joe Bedford, 1 Jon Golding, 2 Neil Hanna, 3 John Rawson, 4 Jannie Bornman, 5 Louie McGowan, 6 Scott Donald 7 Hendre Fourie, 8 Chris Hala’Ufia

Replacements

16 Morne Jonker, 17 Anthony Carter, 18 Nigel Conroy, 19 Jarleth Carey, 20 Adam Hopcroft, 21 Neil Cochrane 22 Gareth McComb.

Otley Squad TBA

I think the word inconsistent pretty much sums up both sides form this season. Roth have had some good victories over teams like Plymouth, Exeter, Coventry and Newbury, but have disappointed against Nottingham, Bedford and London Welsh.

Like wise Otley have drawn with Bedford, beat Exeter away and run Quins very close losing by just three points. They have disappointed against Coventry, Newbury, Plymouth and at home to Bees.

What will happen on Boxing Day is anyone guess really!

The sides have met each other in league rugby on eight previous occasions, with Roth holding a 5-3 advantage. However Otley did the double over Roth last season and will be confident of making it three on the trot.

Traditionally Otley are very difficult to beat on their own patch of West Yorkshire and Roth have only won two away in the league as we approach the halfway mark of the season.

The ex-Roth half back combination of Dave Scully and Simon Binns will be determined to put one over their old club and with the big heavy pack that Otley have, it will prove to be a difficult afternoon for Roth.

However, if Roth can find their best form of the season then Bester’s young troops can return to the Lane with the points and look to narrow the gap on 4^th placed Plymouth who entertain Cornish Pirates the same day.

Roth Admin Prediction: Roth by 4

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