2019 PL Challenge Cup Round Quater Finals - Otley v Bedale

Adjudicators: JK, AB

Timing: 10:20 and 12:00

Prices: 1.50 and 1.50

The Adjudicators were preceded into Otley by Sesilas The Bear, who drove for three or four miles at an even 30 mph, regardless of the speed limit. In Otley itself, the Adjudicators were surprised by a late Pie change…….but pleasantly so, as it came still very warm, with a liquid jelly moistening the flaky, tasty, pastry, and the lightly seasoned, well textured meat content.

Half-time drinks were taken in The Bowling Green, where one young girl was trying to serve a horde of early morning beer swillers, all waiting there turn with good natured patience.

The journey to Bedale was initially marred by a large gang of cyclists, poodling along, two or three abreast, and slowing down legitimate road users. However, once this obstacle had been overcome, the Adjudicators made good time, to arrive at their destination just before noon.

The Bedale Pie was only ever so lightly warm, and this Adjudicator found the pastry to be a bit on the stodgy side. Both agreed that the meat had a pronounced salty taste, though it was not over salted. The texture, perhaps influenced by the pastry, also felt stodgy. Both Adjudicators quickly concluded that the Otley Pie was clearly superior, and hurried to The Black Swan for the past-match drink and the Semi-Final Draw.

Both Adjudicators chose the Theakston’s Avalanche Pale Ale, which proved to be a refreshing and very grapefruity brew. And, allowing themselves a quick 5 minute viewing of the Ireland Samoa game, with their legendary discernment and attention to detail, spotted that at least one Predator and one Samurai were representing Samoa, (though to no avail, as it later turned out).

The SF draw proved unkind to last seasons PLN teams……..with Otley drawn away at Tadcaster, and Skipton away at Masham. Significantly, not one of the four teams which contested last seasons playoff semi-finals have survived to reach the equivalent stage of the PLCC. And one semi-final will crown the new Kings Of The Wharfe.

For those interested in such matters, the Adjudicators can confirm that all four of the mighty Yorkshire rivers crossed today, tha Aire, Wharfe, Nidd and Ure, were flowing well, and at a decent height.