Old Otliensians 25 Old Grovians 22

OLD Otliensians held sway for most of this tense semi-final at Chaffers Field last Friday – but they were only two points ahead, were a man down after Nathan Rogers had been sin-binned and were defending desperately in their right-hand corner deep into injury time.

However, summoning up the collective spirit that was forged at Prince Henry's Grammar School, the hosts held on to book a final against Ilkley Seconds – and, as an added bonus, the match will again be at home tomorrow (6.45pm).

Yorkshire Division Three champions Old Grovians, who had won the league encounter 16-7 at Otliensians and the home match 39-17, were rocked on their heels inside the first minute by club try record-holder Declan Jackson.

The winger cut through at pace from 30 metres out to score his 36th of the season, Kristian Keinhorst converting, but the visitors from Apperley Bridge were level by the seventh minute, right winger Joe Harrison evading some poor tackles to score, with fly half Adam Weaving adding a fine conversion.

The visitors' pack had two destructive drives which brought them no points, and an Ollie Eaves try, converted by Keinhorst, made most of a large crowd happy as Otliensians went 14-7 ahead after 24 minutes.

A Keinhorst penalty approaching half-time made the margin ten points but it was back to five by the interval as Christian Baines scored a try following a neat reverse pass by scrum half Anthony Cadman.

Keinhorst struck again from a penalty when Grovians flanker Joe Sowden was sin-binned halfway through the second half but the visitors went ahead despite being short-handed when prop John Oakes forced his way over, Weaving converting to put them 22-20 in front.

However, Otliensians clinched victory with a thrilling try in stoppage time when Connor Bateman and Zak Stead combined to put Rogers in for the winner.

Then came the dogged defence that clinched a final berth as Grovians paid for earlier injuries to centre Anthony Griffin (broken ankle), Baines (ankle) and Matt Worrall (concussion).

Ilkley 2nds 32 West Park Leeds 7

ILKLEY had to weather an early attacking storm from West Park as they secured victory in their semi-final clash.

West Park's strong scrummaging forced the Ilkley pack to go backwards but the Dalesmen defended well and came away without conceding a score.

That gave them the encouragement to up their game.

They began to get to grips in the forward exchanges and good passing produced a try for the speedy winger Shane Adams.

Further scores came from free-flowing moves by the Ilkley backs for Nick Carolan, Iain McKenzie and Andy Malley for a half-time lead of 27-0. Will Marlow added one conversion.

The second half was a more intense tussle which saw West Park sore a deserved converted try. Flanker Nick Carolan scored two further tries for Ilkley.