Otley continue winning run with victory against Hull

Hull 23

OTLEY saw off a determined Hull side to secure a third straight win and move up to seventh in the National League Two North.

Otley got off to a dramatic start when Brett Mitchell secured his own charge down, sailed 30 meters down the line before giving the ball to supporting players.

They moved it across the pitch for Paul Petchey to score, which Ben Smith converted.

However, Hull levelled the score after eight minutes, when a clever cross-field kick was collected by Reece Dean, who then passed to Keane Naylor to give him an easy run-in.

For the remainder of the first quarter, Hull continued to press the Otley defence.

The home side finally yielded when Simon Willett was yellow carded on his try line, and Simon Humberstone converted the penalty.

Hull's lead was short lived, as they were penalised after the kick-off and Ben Smith levelled the scores.

Otley were still battling against Hull’s attacks, but had an opportunity to put clear water between the teams just before half-time.

Max Johnson broke through, passing to Joe Graham, however the final pass was fumbled just before the line.

Otley did take the lead again in the second half when Hull were guilty of pulling down in their 22. Ben Smith was unwavering as he scored the penalty.

Two further penalties set up Otley’s second try, the ball going across both sides of the pitch before Josh Hall scored in the corner.

Hull came back into the game when two Simon Humberstone penalties made the score 20-16.

Hull’s indiscipline cost them again, as there were two further penalties for holding on and then pulling down, pushing them back into their 22.

From the line-out in the scoreboard corner, Otley’s forwards headed to the posts with a rolling maul, Ben Steele scoring on his 333rd league appearance to make Ben Smith’s conversion easier.

Hull were still afloat and their determination secured a losing bonus point at the death, when they won a race to a deft grubber kick, which was pounced upon by Michael Adlard and converted by Humberstone.

NICK DOYLE