OTLEY finally put their seven-match streak without a win behind them to sweep aside relegation rivals Luctonians 36-24 at Cross Green in National 2 North.

The victory means the Zebras have now recorded the double over their Herefordshire opponents after squeezing to a 20-15 score in the reverse fixture last November.

Despite the home team taking the lead early on through a penalty, it was Luctonians who scored the first try. Charles Meredith touching down in the right corner.

The hosts quickly regained the lead when a Max Johnson kick was collected by Freddie Watson who helped work the both ball ways before Owen Doorman finished the move.

Shortly afterwards the visitors were penalised for diving over the ball, Smith putting the ball into the cemetery corner. Having collected the line out, Gavin Stead lead the attack with Adam Malthouse scoring.

Five minutes later, Malthouse got his second converted try after Ben Magee’s run set up another Otley attack.

The 14th-placed side got their bonus point after a Luctonians clearance kick was caught by Paul Petchey on the wing before he caused a move which led to Elliott Morgan crossing the whitewash.

Just after the half hour mark, when the away team were temporarily down to 14, Johnson got on the scoresheet after great play from Stead and Watson.

With a few minutes left in the half, Otley were caught offside and Meredith was able to get his second try after finding a hole in the Yorkshire defence.

Luctonians came out for the second half reinvigorated and their relentless pressure told after winning a series of penalties, which earned Otley a yellow card, and led to flanker Callum Young going over for a try

A Rob Lewis score set up a tense final six minutes for the home team to hold on.

Now looking for a second bonus point Luctonians threw everything at Otley, but a solid defence held firm. The game ended after the away team failed to release, Ben Smith kicking the ball into touch to deny their relegation adversaries.

The win moves the Zebras only two points away from 13th-placed Luctonians.

Otley are a massive 22 points above Preston Grasshoppers and have an additional 24 more than bottom-placed Scunthorpe, who have only picked up a miserable five points from their 24 fixtures.

Otley: Rigg, Graham, Moss, Malthouse, Willet, Dallavalle, Burns, Watson, Johnson, Smith, Petchey, Stead, Morgan, Dudman, Magee.

Tries: Dudman, Malthouse (2), Morgan, Magee.