Otley are optimistic that their National League Two North game at Caldy on Saturday will beat the weather.

There has been less snow on the North West coast and Otley are optimistic of a return to action after the postponement of last Saturday’s home game with Luctonians.

The players trained indoors at Prince Henry’s Grammar School on Tuesday and plan to practice on an artificial pitch tonight.

Interim director of rugby Ryan Duckett said: “With the weather forecast indicating warmer temperatures by Saturday we are reasonably optimistic of playing. That would have been the case if we had been at home.”

Otley will be picking their team tonight and Duckett says there will be some tough choices to make.

Tom O’Donnell, Alex Ball, James Mackie and Stephen Depledge are all available after missing the 24-24 draw at Bromsgrove two weeks ago.

Duckett said: “The players who came in did really well so there will some interesting discusssions to be had.”

One player who is set for an extended run is stand off William McGee who will continue to deputise for the injured Ben Cooper.

Meanwhile, Old Grovians director of rugby Martin Whitcombe is aiming for another winning bonus point this weekend when his side head to derby rivals Halifax in Yorkshire Four.

The big freeze meant no matches for local sides last weekend and this weekend’s fixtures are set to be affected badly again, yet Whitcombe says preparations have continued as normal.

He said: “We have picked up bonus points in the last four games and aim to continue in the same vein.
“That means winning the match and getting a bonus point too.”

Bradford & Bingley are due to visit Waterloo in National Three North, while Keighley director of rugby Graeme Sheffield is expecting a tough test at Sheffield in North One East.

However, he said: “We’ve made a lot changes since we last played them and we know it will be a real challenge.
“Sheffield are a good side and they play hard and straight.”