Comment

Guy Easterby

Cambridge 22 Otley 47

The home side's only previous defeat at home was at the hands of Stourbridge.

Otley were soon ahead when winger Robin Kitching landed a 42 metre penalty. After fly-half Gareth Cull had missed one from a similar distance for Cambridge Kitching added a second from much closer and the lead was extended when Kris Fullman went over from fully five metres after excellent support play from forwards and backs combined.

The Otley pack were already gaining ascendancy so it was something of a shock when Cambridge scored.

Winning a close-in line-out following a penalty they swung the ball wide for full-back Adam Barnard to join in and score in the corner.

A penalty on half-way was knocked over by Kitching and a beautifully delayed pass by Guy Easterby, having a majestic game, set fly-half Alastair Monks on a run, ably backed up by No 6 Matt Stockdale who raced over for Kitching to convert.

Just before the break a quick tap penalty on their 22 caught Otley napping and winger Philip Reed sneaked over.

Realising they should have been further ahead Otley attacked from the re-start. Rob Whatmuff was held up on the line but a well controlled scrum allowed No 8 Max Lewis to go in under the posts.

Cambridge were being penned in their own half and a neat chip from Easterby pushed them back where Richard Snowball stole the line-out and quick passing saw Kitching in at the corner.

With both tries converted Otley appeared to have an unassailable lead and they paid the penalty for relaxing. Scrum-half Stefan Liebenberg sneaked over on 65 minutes for a try converted by replacement fly-half Luke Fielden who then found a gap to go over himself.

Suitably chastened the forwards drove in-field from a line-out on the home 22 for sub Ryan Wederrell to ground under the posts.

Dan Hyde set up the final try when he burst through midfield, Paul Mooney adding the finishing touch. Kitching converted the former to take his contribution to 22 points but surprisingly he missed the latter after having trouble with the kicking tee.

l Blackheath, who just beat relegated Halifax at home on Saturday with a late penalty goal, are at Cross Green on Saturday for the final home game of the season.

A five points haul would secure promotion, Stourbridge being unable to achieve the 100 points total with games against Nuneaton and Southend but it may require a maximum a week later at Waterloo to win the Championship with Manchester at home to Cambridge and away at Blackheath.

Peter Clegg has the rare satisfaction of being able to pick from strength for this vital game against a side, lying fourth in the league, who put up a solid performance against Otley at home back in December before losing just 17-12.

They will no doubt wish to forget their last trip to Otley when they leaked over 100 points.

Being the last home game there will be an end of season party to celebrate, whatever else happens, a wonderful fight-back following last year's relegation.

11:30am Thursday 17th April 2008

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