Bonus points for a disappointed Otley (From Wharfedale Observer)

Bonus points for a disappointed Otley

12:00pm Thursday 16th April 2009

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Sedgley Park 36 Otley 29

Otley picked up two bonus points at Sedgley Park but came away disappointed after a match against a side who had previously beaten them only once over seven meetings.

Peter Clegg’s side had had this game marked down as a win and it surely should have been for, after an early lapse, they built up a 29-17 lead by the 53rd minute and were looking like easy winners, only to allow the home side to run in three late tries.

This enabled Park to retain their third-from- bottom spot, not a great aim in the scheme of things but generating a certain amount of satisfaction.

Otley were relieved in the first minute when a forward pass ruling stopped winger Peter Swatkins as he ran for the corner, but good ball retention enabled Sedgley Park to create a gap for fly-half Mark Atkinson to slip through, centre Phil Jones converting. On eight minutes he also kicked a penalty.

Settling down, Otley replied five minutes later when full-back Peter Wackett came steaming up the touchline to take a pass and chip over the defence to catch at full stretch and race 50 metres to the corner.

Now looking the better side, Otley moved closer with a penalty from fly-half Alistair Monks and on 38 minutes centre Luther Burrell, appearing out wide, took a neat pass from Dan Hyde to cut inside and glide through effortlessly, Monks converting.

This five-point half-time lead lasted just two minutes, second row Ben Lloyd bursting away from a line-out in his own half and when he was stopped No 6 Juan Crous gathered to make his way unopposed to the posts. Jones added the conversion.

However, lock Paul Williams rectified that from the re-start, racing in from a ruck 30 metres out for Monks to convert and when, on 62 minutes Ryan Wederell was driven over, Monks converting, Otley looked home and dry.

But with No 6 Mike McComish, lock James Craig and winger Xavier Andre having to be replaced, Otley lost their shape and after having a drive held up under the posts Sedgley Park moved the ball quickly wide for Jones to go over in the corner.

With their lead reduced to just seven points Otley’s performance became rather nervy and on 66 minutes centre Chris Hall broke through to be tackled on the line where, after a long conference with his touch-judge Mr Williams awarded a try which was converted by Jones.

The home side were now full of running and it was no surprise when Jones went in for his second try, which he converted, leaving Otley six minutes to rectify their errors.

Although they threatened their ball retention failed them whenever they looked dangerous.

On Saturday, Otley travel to play Exeter, in a re-arranged fixture, where there will be despondency following their recent fall from grace after giving Leeds a race for the championship which has long been their aim.

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