Otley R.U.F.C.

Otley
Full nameOtley Rugby Union Football Club
UnionYorkshire RFU
Nickname(s)Zebras
Founded1865; 160 years ago (1865)
LocationOtley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Ground(s)Cross Green (Capacity: 5,000)
League(s)National League 2 North
2023–249th
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 two senior teams – the first XV, the Saracens (2nd XV), as well as a full range of junior teams. The first XV play in National League 2 North.

History

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Cross Green Stadium at the homonymous area is Otley's home ground

Otley RUFC was founded in 1865[1] but broke away from rugby union in 1900 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.[citation needed]

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

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Honours

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Current standings

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2024–25 National League 2 North table
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Leeds Tykes (C) 24 23 0 1 837 460 +377 21 1 114 Promotion place
2 Sheffield 24 20 0 4 855 482 +373 19 2 101
3 Lymm 24 17 0 7 799 678 +121 20 0 88
4 Fylde 24 14 0 10 720 606 +114 16 6 78
5 Tynedale 24 11 3 10 698 746 −48 17 4 71
6 Wharfedale 24 13 0 11 643 640 +3 16 2 70
7 Chester 24 11 0 13 717 749 −32 13 5 62
8 Hull Ionians 24 10 0 14 712 694 +18 13 9 62
9 Sheffield Tigers 24 8 1 15 587 631 −44 13 10 57
10 Otley 24 9 1 14 606 721 −115 9 5 52
11 Preston Grasshoppers 24 7 1 16 617 791 −174 12 6 48
12 Harrogate 24 5 1 18 590 801 −211 15 10 47
13 Billingham 24 8 1 15 549 735 −186 10 2 46 Relegation place
14 Hull 24 8 0 16 586 782 −196 10 3 45
Updated to match(es) played on 5 April 2025. Source: National League Rugby [5]
Rules for classification: 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

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1991). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. Taunton: Tony Williams. ISBN 1869833155.
  2. ^ a b c 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 6 January 2008.
  5. ^ "National League 2 North". NCA Rugby.
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