IT has certainly been a testing year for the community rugby world with no competitive action since March, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel for one Otley-based club.

Old Otliensians are still plugging away in anticipation of being involved in some friendlies in the new year after the RFU cancelled their 2020-21 leagues last month.

In its place will come 'adopted rugby'. Although contact is permitted, scrums and mauls have been removed to minimize prolonged close contact.

Where a scrum might have been awarded, a free kick will be used, and successfully won lineouts can not form a maul, instead the player must immediately release the ball into open play.

For Ensians the last few weeks of training has consisted of touch and pass and fitness. As a result the team are now ready to introduce contact matches.

Training is still only once a week, on Thursdays at 6:30pm, but later in January, Tuesday evenings might return.

The club may also expand the T&P scene as it’s proving very popular in attracting new faces. Its also helped with the transition of some of the younger colts moving up into senior rugby.

For anybody interested in taking part, email Pete Tempest on ptempestcivils@aol.com

You can also support the club by joining the Fifty Club. For just £2 per month, choose one of the 150 balls drawn each month in the committee meeting and win prizes of £50, £15 and £10 each time.

For more details, contact Geoff Wolfenden on ensians50club@gmail.com