Last-gasp drop-goal missed in a slugfest

By MIKE BROWN

Billingham…….. 19pts Otley……………….. 17pts

BILLINGHAM grabbed a narrow win over Otley in a desperately tight and physical encounter.

Both teams struggled for momentum in the early stages. Otley’s pack dominated early possession as Sam Waddington and Adam Malthouse crashed the ball up only for a stern Billingham defence to keep them at bay.

It was Billingham who broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when fly-half Ryan Foreman kicked a penalty from 35 metres out after Otley infringed at a ruck.

Otley again used their heavy pack to drive them forward. Multiple penalties were awarded and each time Otley chose to kick for the corner. However each time they were stopped by a Billingham wall.

Callum Irvine stepped up and kicked three points to get Otley back in the game after a Billingham high tackle was penalised with 23 minutes gone.

Billingham then attacked Otley’s 22-metre line and some neat handling saw Tom Campbell dragged down just short of the line. But a snipe by Billingham scrum-half Elliott Husband saw the first try of the game although the conversion was missed.

Otley came out firing in the second half. The forwards drove on and fly-half Edward Cross-land showed excellent footwork to get through the Billingham defence to score a well worked try. Irvine converted.

Billingham attacked again with Dan Burns, Ryan Kirkbride and Campbell making dents in the Otley defence. Quick ball from Husband fed Foreman and his deft kick found Jonathan Horner who caught the ball in his stride to score out wide.

From the kick off, Billingham held onto possession and on the 65th minute were awarded a penalty which was converted by Peter Evans.

Otley pushed hard with wave after wave of attacks but frustration started to show and referee Michael Harris had to calm things down.

Otley’s centre Jacob Holmes eventually powered through the defence to get Otley within two points with Irvine converting.

As the final whistle neared, Otley threw everything at the Billingham line but tackle after tackle was made by Billingham defenders to keep them at bay and Otley were unable to break the line.

Oliver McNab worked his forwards to allow for a drop goal before Luke Wilson and Louie Groark stopped what looked like a certain try.

Otley did manage to get into a position for a kick to goal but a last gasp drop kick from Crossland went wide and both sides dropped to their knees with exhaustion at the final whistle.

Twinkle toes: Jonny Horner dances down the touchline to score a crucial try for Billingham and, below, Otley’s Jacob Holmes is stopped by some robust defence

PICTURES: Gareth Lyons