SSE National League Two North

Caldy 29

Otley 22

LOOKING the better footballers, Otley appeared to have the measure of Caldy in this SSE National League Two North clash.

However, they could not match the intensity of the home forwards when they had a sight of Otley’s line, four of their five tries coming from close-range line-outs as they used the very strong wind to their advantage in the first half.

Caldy's total proved too much for their opponents, who made little use of the elements, banking on their pace, even though the home three-quarters were given leniency to encroach which helped to nullify Otley's supremacy.

Playing into the wind, Otley made an excellent start, claiming the kick-off and giving winger Harry Hudson an early chance to show his speed to claim a try on three minutes.

The visitors were clearly on top in a game where the first scrum did not take place for 30 minutes until a dropped pass was hoofed downfield for Otley to yield a five-metre line-out, where Craig Smithson was driven over.

Hitting straight back, Jack Mackie made a break to the line, James White finishing it off and Stephen Depledge converting.

Otley were not aiding their chances, however, by conceding far too many penalties, which the home side used to create positions where their strength was a factor, Chris Jones claiming two tries, interspersed with a run from halfway by Richard Jones after he snapped up a dropped pass and there was no cover.

Richard Vasey converting two of the tries before, on 40 minutes, Stuart Cross was driven over.

Otley felt, quite rightly, that this score was within their grasp but really lost patience.

Freddie Watson was driven over and Hudson produced another fine run, and they were hammering the home line at the death only to concede yet another penalty.