National League Two North: Preston Grasshoppers 3 Otley 17

HEAVY pre-match rain, which left not only a soggy pitch but areas of standing water, had a detrimental effect on play, leading to there being only ne score in the first 40 minutes.

Otley settled well but were unable to overcome the conditions, which induced turnovers and penalties at ruck and maul, but they successfully kept a tight hold on their opponents until full back Sean Taylor kicked a simple penalty after 12 minutes.

Skipper Stephen Depledge had a chance to level six minutes later but his shot sailed wide, and errors on both sides prevented any advancement, a second penalty chance for Depledge on 40 minutes mirroring his first.

The break gave a chance for a re-think and Otley came out full of fight, running back the deep re-start.

The ball reached winger Gareth Newman, who was travelling at speed and he completely foxed the cover to race 60 metres to the corner, from where Depledge landed the conversion.

From being evenly fought, the contest now moved Otley’s way, and they began to command all areas.

On 62 minutes, Depledge kicked a penalty from 40 metres, but frustration was creeping into the Preston play, and a minute later, two minutes after coming on as a replacement, winger Oliver Yates was yellow carded for foul play.

The penalty set up a five-metre line-out from which lock Declan Dunn drove over, Depledge producing another fine conversion.

With ten minutes remaining, a bonus point was on the object for Otley but they had to be content with an away win.