London Welsh 20

Otley 14

OTLEY came unstuck at Old Deer Park where they found the home side keyed up in their fight for survival.

They found great difficulty in raising their game, even in the second period when, with the slope in their favour, they enjoyed such territorial advantage they should have managed a hatfull of tries but so disciplined were Welsh that Simon Binns was given just a solitary penalty kick at goal.

Transport arrangements were thrown into slight panic when, on arrival at King's Cross, the coach waiting to complete the journey failed, despite sympathetic ministrations and vocal encouragement, to start and eventually the party had to pile into nearby cabs.

They were not unduly delayed but they made a disastrous start, failing to secure the kick-off. They compounded the error by conceding a penalty, which, as expected, was shoved into the corner. The initial drive was brought down and a second penalty followed the first and this time it brought success for the exiles when prop Colin Hannon grounded for fly half Dylan Pugh to convert.

Taking this setback in their stride Otley quickly replied. Binns found touch in the home 22 from a penalty. This time the ball came quickly out from Andy Brown and was smartly moved down the line, where Chris Hall crossed from his wing to come into the line outside Rob Whatmuff, to create an overlap for Waisale Sovatabua who, yes, ran in at the corner.

With their line-out working well, mainly through Ed Thorpe against his old club, Otley were functioning well. They were made to pay for giving away penalties, Pugh going successfully for goal on 15 minutes and setting up a line-out close in some six minutes later.

Although the drive was held, No 7 Ritchie Woods slipped over, the conversion gave Welsh an unlikely 17-5 lead.

Try as they could, Otley were never able to take their usual control in the forwards. Hall did manage to escape the cover only to be pulled back for the final pass adjudged forward and it was left to Binns to bring them back into the game with a couple of penalties.

The second-half was a litany of errors as chances were set up and then squandered. As the game progressed the Exiles began to believe that this could be their fourth home win of the season, a result which would ease them out of the relegation zone, hopes enhanced when Pugh took them further ahead when, after one failure, he kicked his second penalty.

Binns secured a bonus point with a 65th minute penalty but despite wholesale changes Otley could not pierce a mean defence.

On April 30 Bristol will be at Otley and will be presented with the Championship Shield. They have already asked for 1,700 tickets so Cross Green will be busier than normal.

In order to ease any congestion at the turnstiles advance tickets may be obtained from the secretary, Marc Lawrence, at the club office during office hours or at the home game with Plymouth the previous Saturday.

The gates will be manned from noon and all members will have to show their cards to gain admission.

It is recommended that they arrive early for should congestion occur at the turnstiles the kick-off time will not be delayed as the FDR ruling is that all games on the final Saturday must kick-off at 3pm.

No parking will be available in the inner car park and the outer park will be full by noon so it is suggested that visitors park in the area reserved at Craftsman Tools, which is directly opposite the main entrance, down Bremner Street.

There will be many extra food and drink outlets around the ground and a great day is expected.