Reversal of fortune is priority for Otley and rivals

NOT so long ago, Otley were right on the tails of National Two North’s frontrunners; now they face a “huge” derby as they look to halt an alarming slump.

Mark Luffman’s side host Sandal this afternoon having lost three successive games to fall from third to seventh, prompting some “soul-searching” this week to get to the bottom of their unexpected reversal in fortunes.

For forwards coach Adam Blades, the experienced prop who will look to lead from the front today, he is adamant the West Yorkshire club can recover just as quickly as they fell.

“We were sitting pretty three weeks ago in third so it has been massively disappointing for us a team and as a club to come unstuck against some of the bottom sides in the league,” he admitted, having lost 13-12 at home to Tynedale and then on the road at Stourbridge and Luctonians.

“We have got two long trips out of the way now and they have been tough games with the weather conditions and things like that but we know we could have picked up more from them all.

“Tynedale only got into our half once and then scored the match-winning try while Luctonians just played the conditions better than we did.

“There has been some soul-searching this week. We know we now have to perform against Sandal.

“We’ve had a team meeting and looked back at videos of those losses and picked out things we need to work on.

“There was a bit of a realisation of where we need to be and this game now is huge for us.”

Otley remain confident they can recapture their previous form – they had won six of their previous seven games before this – but are aware Sandal pose their own threat.

Since winning promotion from National Three North via a tense play-off against Midlands side Hinckley in April, they have adapted to the higher level superbly.