OTLEY claimed local bragging rights with a late penalty in a closely fought match against Huddersfield at the weekend.

Huddersfield kicked-off and, having regained possession in their half, Tom Hodson’s 50-22 kick gave them territorial advantage. The Raikers’ pack then marched the ball from Otley’s 22 to the try-line, Andy Rollins peeling off right at the end to score in the corner.

Otley’s first attack, led by Jason Moss, saw the home side reach the 22 metre line before Huddersfield conceded a penalty in front of the posts. Spurning the three points, Eddie Crossland kicked for touch and Otley’s pack moved swiftly towards the posts from the line-out, Luke Cole at the back of the maul going over after seven minutes.

Crossland’s run from behind his own ten metre line ended when he was tackled just before Huddersfield’s try line, setting up another attack from which Otley nearly scored - but for a foot in touch. At the end of the first quarter, Huddersfield also fluffed a clear cut chance after an exchange down the right between Lewis Workman and Liam Stapley was knocked-on just short of Otley’s line.

After a patient build up, Otley secured a second penalty in front of the posts when Huddersfield failed to release. Crossland again elected for a line-out, and this time Cole peeled off from his pack to dive over the line, Joe Rowntree getting his second conversion after 25 minutes.

The remainder of the half was played in the middle of the park, with neither side able to get the upper hand. However, that changed when Otley were penalized in their 22. The home side were only able to stop Huddersfield’s rolling maul by conceding another penalty, and at the second attempt hooker Liam Stapley went over which Will Milner converted with three minutes to go.

Sam Taylor, made a magnificent jump and catch, rolling out of the tackle on landing, to put centre, Gavin Stead, in for an unconverted try after two minutes. Stead then extended Otley’s lead with a penalty in front of the posts on 48 minutes.

A Milner kick saw the ball cross Otley’s touch-line five metres out, but in attempting to drive the ball out of their 22 Otley gave away a penalty which Milner slotted between the posts. After a period in Huddersfield’s half, a grubber kick was kicked back down the pitch into Otley’s 22 and was the start of sustained pressure by the opposition during which Otley conceded a number of penalties. Although Otley were eventually able to clear their lines, Huddersfield kept up the pressure and a well worked try by Fin Stewart on the right hand side, together with Milner’s conversion brought the scores level.

Elliot Morgan’s run saw Otley set up camp in the opposition 22, before Huddersfield conceded a penalty for not rolling away. Otley lost the ball at the line out but the clearance kick stayed within the opposition’s 22 and Otley continued to press. Huddersfield gave away penalty at a scrum on the edge of their 22, and Rowntree’s kick regained the lead with four minutes to go.

Otley had the chance to score again after a kick into Huddersfield’s red zone was deliberately knocked on, and Otley went for a line-out in the left hand corner. However, the opposition were able to keep Otley away from their line and gained a scrum, getting the ball to the half-way line before the referee called time.    REPORT BY: NICK DOYLE