Otley 16

Tynedale 13

TWO second half tries and stout defence in the dying minutes saw Otley record their first win of 2020 at Cross Green on Saturday.

Otley started the match brightly and nearly scored in the opening minutes but for a forward pass, and then crossed close to the line to spurn another opportunity.

Having weathered the initial onslaught, Tynedale’s first attack was superbly finished by Seamus Hutton after a cross-field kick by J Rodgers, who then added the conversion.

A long drive by Tynedale on the back of a rolling maul came close to a score, but they knocked on with the try line beckoning.

A series of penalties followed, and Otley's Ben Smith scored one after Tynedale were caught hanging on in their midfield.

This was cancelled out by a Rodgers kick after Otley failed to release trying to execute a choke tackle.

A deliberate knock on by Hutton, which gave Tynedale their second yellow for the same offence, was punished by Smith who made the half-time score 10-6.

Otley cleared the restart and Tynedale were straight back forcing Otley offside in front of their posts on 44 minutes, and Rodgers was again true.

Otley defended well and eventually Joe Graham broke through, with Ben Magee selling a dummy before scoring.

Tynedale’s restart was charged down by Elliott Morgan, who then kicked the ball to the try line, picking it up just before to score with aplomb.

Tynedale threw the kitchen sink at Otley for the last quarter, tactical kicking keeping them penned in their 22 for much of the period.

However, stout defending kept the visitors out. Tynedale opted for a line-out in the dying minutes after getting a penalty but couldn’t cross the line as Otley hung to notch a 16-13 victory.

NICK DOYLE