SSE National League Two North

Otley 30

Luctonian 19

WITH four absentees due to wedding commitments, Otley had to move players around – but the scariest problem was who would be handed the kicking duties without stand-in Stephen Depledge.

The answer was to ignore penalty chances but the search for a deputy failed, three players trying their hand without success.

However, they made a splendid start, a penalty allowing them to get into the visitors’ 22 and excellent forward play giving skipper Adam Blades the chance to go over.

Despite allowing Luctonians to secure the re-start, hooker Mark Chivers intercepted a pass to charge forward before winger Harry Hudson raced in from halfway.

The visitors were determined if not skilful and, taking a quick tap penalty, scrum half Ben Williams found a gap and put winger James Norris up to gallop over.

After 26 minutes, the visitors took the lead when, with scrum half Kristian Sharples in the sin-bin, they secured a turnover for full back Joseph Doyle to cut through the middle and give winger William Sparrow a simple conversion.

The advantage was short-lived, though, good driving mauls leading to tries for Stephen Costello and, just before the interval, Sharples.

Otley were looking comfortable after the break but lost their shape when centre Jack Mackie was shown yellow.

Their forwards were driven back over their line, lock Chris Jaques grounding and Sparrow bringing them to within a point with the conversion.

But the home forwards then took control, forcing a penalty try, and Nazir Karim then made sure when he outpaced the defence.