Otley survive the scares to send Dale packing

By NICK DOYLE

Otley……………………. 44

Wharfedale………… 31

OTLEY scored in the first minute when Ben Waddington went over and, after a few scares, never looked back.

Ryan Hodgson landed a penalty, but in another Wharfedale attack, Callum Irvine intercepted the ball in his own half to score under the posts.

From a penalty line-out and two phases, Wharfedale’s Sam Dickinson forced his way over at the end of the first quarter.

Five minutes later, Will Derry’s run set up Eddie Crossland’s score, and Joe Rowntree grabbed his third successive conversion for Otley following it up with a penalty.

Wharfedale’s pressure then saw Otley reduced to 13, with Josh Prell’s touch down at the end of the half bringing the visitors to within seven.

Jacob Holmes’ try in the corner three minutes in was followed after 51 minutes when Irvine set up Sam Taylor for an easy run-in. Irvine converted both.

For the next 20 minutes, Wharfedale pushed Otley incredibly hard, their pack crabbing their way to the line, which allowed Dickinson to get his second.

The pressure continued, and Oli Riddiough had an easy score when the ball came out of Otley’s scrum on their five-metre line, Hodgson getting his fourth conversion.

But Irvine’s two penalties then finally settled it in Otley’s favour.

REFEREE: Sam Yates

ATTENDANCE: 526

Star player Rhys Green -Otley