Otley 15, Birmingham & Solihull 33

OTLEY'S daydream approach to their last game of the season just suited struggling Birmingham, who were allowed to take all five points as they pulverised a team unable to hold on to the ball.

Turnover at contact, poor presentation and penalties at every conceivable occasion all contributed to an easy passage for the visitors.

A penalty from scrum half Stephen Depledge had Otley ahead after seven minutes but a misdemeanour in a ruck gave Birmingham a penalty which found touch in the home 22 to set up a drive. The ball then travelled through the backs and was reversed for fly half Adam Canning to find a huge gap, Canning also converting. Short bursts from Otley gave hope but, on 21 minutes, a deep 22 drop-out was run back and it was with ease that winger Aquile Smith scored in the corner, Canning again converting as the visitors led 14-3 at half-time.

An Otley knock-on at the restart was followed by a penalty at the resultant scrum, which gave the visitors' a five-metre line-out. Cue the drive, ball release and try for centre Robert Connelly.

Finding some form, Otley had Birmingham back on their line where a deft delivery from Depledge put centre Jack Mackie over for a converted try. They then lost lock Jonathan Stannard to the sin-bin, holding out until the final minute of his suspension when once again Birmingham scored following a penalty and line-out, with ball passed down the line for Smith to go over for his second.

Twelve minutes later, there was a similar approach but this time sub No 6 Ian Briggs grounded, Canning converting both. Sub Chris Gemmell scored a late try for Otley but they were left far adrift.