Otliensians are blown away by last-gasp try

A STRONG cross-field wind greatly affected the pattern of play and Northallerton's better mastery of the conditions enabled them to edge victory.

They outscored Otliensians four tries to three but the visitors were disappointed not to hold on to a 17-15 lead for the last six minutes of play.

Otliensians got off to a great start when Luke Cowdell, playing at full back, made a great run which resulted in a try for winger Declan Jackson.

Another brilliant break by Cowdell led to hooker Jim Dyson steaming in under the posts at great pace for a try. Jackson drop kicked the conversion to establish a 12-0 lead.

Northallerton, whose line-out was functioning well, hit back with a try, but there was no further scoring before the break as the wind disrupted the play of both sides. Kicks into the breeze held up while kicks with it sailed direct into touch.

Jackson and Rob Lofthouse were prominent as Otliensians launched a couple of bright raids at the start of the second half before Northallerton utilised the driving maul to exert pressure.

A penalty to the home side after a drive had been illegally halted led to real pressure in front of the posts and a pushover try came after ten minutes.

The restart was blown back and failed to make the required distance which gave Northallerton the advantage with their scrum half making ground with a good break from the scrum.

Otliensians won a turnover and found touch, but immediately gave away two penalties for coming in from the side and for wheeling the scrum.

The intense pressure from the hosts was too much for the visitors to withstand and a try put Northallerton ahead 15-12.

Otliensians were still looking threatening with the ball in hand and a superb break by Ollie Eaves released Jackson at speed for a try which gave them a two-point lead.

Just as it looked as if Otliensians would emerge victorious, Northallerton launched a wave of attack which brought them a try out wide. The conversion sailed over from a difficult angle on an afternoon when so many kicks had been missed.