Otley 24 Coventry 27

OTLEY RU have a score to settle at Cross Green on Saturday when they take on Newbury who defeated them back on September.

They will be hoping to rid themselves of the bogey which has seen them lose tight matches in the final stages just as they did on Saturday when they entertained Coventry.

Otley lost 27-24 with a knock-on allowing Coventry to get their hands on the ball and mount an attack with Johnson breaking down the right touchline, kicking ahead and outpacing the cover to snap up the ball on the line and dive over for a win and a bonus point.

This try came nine minutes into added time as Otley succumbed to a late sucker punch.

Otley's cause was not helped when they lost Ian Shuttleworth, standing in for Simon Binns, and substitute kicker Dave Scully was unable to find the target with a couple of kicks.

Otley were caught cold when the ball fell into the hands of David Harvey and three crisp passes saw it in the hands of winger James Moore who somehow broke through to score.

Unsettled Otley conceded a free-kick at the first scrum and lost their first line-out but soon showed their potential when a shattering tackle from Waisale Sovatabua shook the ball loose and it was snapped up by skipper Glen Wilson who made a powerful run through the middle before handing on to Matt Stockdale who made another 20 metres before being hauled down just short. The No 7 was there again when Rob Whatmuff broke through from half-way to take a superb pass and and complete the final 20 metres with Shuttleworth adding the conversion.

Shuttleworth added three penalties, one when Otley looked to add to the score with a searing burst from Justin Wring ending with a knock-on and the scrum was disrupted.

Otley were looking comfortable until the 38th minute when a 22 drop out was run back and Harvey kicked for the corner where winger Steve Booth gathered to wriggle over.

A sprightly start to the second-half saw Kyle Dench put away only to be obstructed. A following drive was illegally halted and Shuttleworth kicked the penalty.

Attempting a 42 metre penalty Shuttleworth tore a muscle and had to leave the field. Coventry added tries by Tom Johnson and a conversion and penalty by Moore.

Otley replied with a try by Mark Luffman and everyone then exopected the final whistle but play continued and Coventry snatched the win.

Saturday's game against Newbury at Cross Green kicks-off at 2 pm.