National Two North: Luctonians 30 Otley 21

OTLEY were left to rue their unsteady start and failure to take chances, allowing Luctonians to build up a comfortable lead which they managed to hold when they were under heavy pressure after the break.

With just five games remaining, both sides are fairly safe. Luctonians have less wins but a healthy number of bonus points. A good result here would give security which probably affected play, so there was some relief for the home supporters when their side nipped in with a couple of early tries, scrum half Ollie Allsopp putting winger Frank Kelly over on 12 minutes and, coming straight back, centre Alex Smith cutting through to give fellow centre Will Hodnett a simple run-in. Winger Johnny Morris, having missed an earlier penalty, converted both tries and on 23 minutes added a penalty.

At last beginning to show, fly half Jack Blakeney-Edwards and centre Mike Coady combined to put winger Henry Roberts away. The No 10, taking over the kicking duties with Tom Hodson off injured, added the conversion.

This was quickly negated when, under great pressure, Otley conceded a penalty try, converted by Morris to set up a 24-7 lead at the break.

A more workmanlike approach on the restart brought Otley back into contention and they drove over from a line-out, only to be held up.

Maintaining the pressure, they got prop Tipiloma Kivalu over and on 70 minutes a similar approach brought them a penalty try, both converted by Blakeney-Edwards to reduce the deficit to just three points.

However, Morris had the last word, kicking two 40-metre penalties to consolidate victory for Luctonians.