National League Two North: Otley 15, Chester 10

ALTHOUGH Otley looked the sharper side throughout, they were unable to take a commanding lead.

Indeed it was not until the 46th minute that, with two slick tries, they moved ahead, and the result was in doubt to the very end.

They began brightly, creating early chances, scrum half Matt Johnson making an early break by tapping at a penalty 30 metres out and almost reaching the line, while full back Tom Hodson was wide with a penalty chance on four minutes.

A try looked certain when Otley attacked from a line-out but the final pass was ruled forward and then, on 16 minutes, two penalties took Chester to the home 22, where a well-organised driving maul helped them move steadily forward for flanker Kyle Joseph to score.

Solid defending by both sides ensured that there were no further scores before half-time but Otley came out after the break with great enthusiasm.

Hodson ran back a kick to feed James Wood close on halfway, and the winger burst through to power his way to the line.

Two minutes later, opposite winger Henry Roberts, also from distance, burst up the touchline, chipped the defence to re-gather and outpace the cover to go in at the posts for Hodson to convert.

This slender lead was soon reduced when Chester once again mauled their way to the line, No 8 David Ford - a former Otley and Bradford & Bingley player - grounding, and nerves were on edge for the final 30 minutes.

But Otley finished the stronger and edged further ahead when, given a penalty in the final minute, Hodson was urged to change his mind when about to kick for touch and successfully go for goal.