Otley R.U.F.C.

Otley
Full name Otley Rugby Union Football Club
Union Yorkshire RFU
Nickname(s) The Zebras
Founded 1865 (1865)
Location Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Ground(s) Cross Green (Capacity: 5,000)
League(s) National League 2 North
2017−18 11th
Team kit
Official website
www.pitchero.com/clubs/otley/

Otley Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union club representing Otley in the City of Leeds, district of West Yorkshire. The club runs three senior teams – the first XV, the Saracens (2nd XV) and the Viscounts (3rd XV), as well as a full range of junior teams. The first XV play in National League 2 North.

History

Otley RUFC was founded in 1865[1] but broke away from rugby union in 1895 to become a rugby league club. They disbanded in 1906 and reformed as a rugby union club in 1907, the ground being at Wharfeside.[2] In 1909–10 they won the Yorkshire Challenge Cup.[2] Play was suspended during the First World War, but started again in 1919, and on 28 September 1921 they moved to a new and better ground at Cross Green, Otley.[2]

In the 2007–08 season they won the National Division Two title securing an immediate return to National Division One having been relegated the previous season, however they were immediately relegated again in the 2008–09 season along with fellow promoted side Manchester and three other teams due to the new professionalised format of National Division One (now the RFU Championship). Two seasons later the club was relegated again, this time to National League 2 North. The all-time leading try scorer is James Twomey, with 74 in 107 appearances between 2009 and 2013.

In 1979 the stadium was the site of a famous victory by the North of England against the New Zealand ″All Blacks″.[3] The Wallabies suffered the same fate in October, 1988. Cross Green hosted one group game of the 1991 Rugby World Cup, between the United States and Italy which was won by Italy 30–9.

Notable former players

Cross Green, Otley's home ground.

Honours

Current standings

2018–19 National League 2 North Table
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Losing bonus Points
1Hull Ionians8701246169777035
2Hinckley8701252165875033
3Huddersfield8602207149585231
4Sedgley Park8503251191605227
5Chester7502173119543225
6Stourbridge8503257219385025
7Fylde8404217178395223
8Wharfedale8404203184195122
9Otley8404154191-373019
10South Leicester8314234269-354018
11Sheffield Tigers8305197217-203318
12Preston Grasshoppers8206203231-286418
13Leicester Lions8305191201-103217
14Tynedale7214210215-55217
15Macclesfield8107141277-136206
16Peterborough Lions8107117278-161116
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 20 October 2018
Source: "National League 2 North". NCA Rugby.

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1991). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. Taunton: Tony Williams. ISBN 1869833155.
    2. 1 2 3 Brumfitt, Elise (1986). Old Otley. Leeds: M. T. D. Rigg Publications. ISBN 0950919136.
    3. ↑ "TV screening of Otley's historic rugby day". Telegraph & Argus. Newsquest Media Group. 16 September 2004. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
    4. ↑ "Former Otley rugby player wins Nobel prize". Wharfedale and Airedale Observer. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
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