Macclesfield 48 Otley 21

Without appearing to be overwhelmed, Otley found themselves 31-7 down after 35 minutes.

The big home pack, with scrum half Jordan Brookes skilfully bringing in his back row and inside backs with slick moves, proved most effective. A strong drive from the first line-out saw Eddie Stobart score in the opposite corner.

Otley hit back with a try from Nazir Karim, Mark Ireland converting, but Macclesfield replied in similar manner, winger Stobart in at the posts for fly half Tom Eaton to convert.

Stobart completed his hat-trick before the bonus try came on 27 minutes, centre James Brierley finding a gap, and then No 8 Ryan Parkinson broke from a maul to dive over.

Still attacking, Otley responded with an excellent score. A dropped ball was snapped up by centre James White, who found Ireland on his shoulder to take over with forward support, prop Paul Hill plunging over for Ireland to convert.

Over-elaboration by both sides led to a messy start to the second half but Macc got Brierley in at the corner and Parkinson scored from a five-metre line-out.

Otley responded with a try from Stephen Depledge, backing up his forwards. Ireland converted and suddenly they looked like pinching a bonus point.

However, Nazir had a try disallowed and Macc had the last word, their forwards getting Parkinson in for his hat-trick and Eaton adding the conversion.