Otley 23, Tynedale 23

After spurning opportunities to take an early lead, Otley fell behind in yesterday's National League One encounter and had to mount a magnificent fightback, a last-minute penalty kick sailing just wide to deprive them of a victory.

Their speed and quick handling kept opening the Tynedale defence but a little unsteadiness with the final pass saw the scoring chance go awry.

A pass to winger Mark Kirkby with a clear run-in eluded him and a fine burst through the middle by full back Ben Hough ended with an interception.

And they were out of luck when a fine crosskick bounded badly on the line with centre James White there to finish off.

It was a tremendous run up the middle by skipper Howard Parr which set up the first score on 27 minutes, fly half Chris Georgiou taking over to draw the full back before handing on to his half-back partner Stephen Depledge, who went in at the posts, Hough converting.

Tynedale wasted no time in replying. Stealing a line-out in the home 22, they ran the ball wide for replacement centre Ashley Smith to slip through.

Fly half Gavin Beasley was wide with the conversion but penalties on 34 and 40 minutes secured Tynedale an 11-7 lead at the break.

Committed to moving the ball, Otley were caught with Hough up in attack when a dropped pass was grabbed by Tynedale’s acting scrum half Hamish Smales, who raced unopposed to the line, Beasley converting to make it an 11-point deficit.

Spurred on, Otley now began to put on the pressure and, as the visitors transgressed, Hough stepped up to kick three fine penalties.

He just failed with two further long-distance chances before Tynedale managed to find a way through the midfield, moving the ball wide for No 7 Matthew Fieldhouse to reach over in the corner.

But this brought out the best in Otley. A fine penalty from Georgiou set up a five-metre line-out, where the outstanding Parr secured the throw to drive over, Hough stepping up to convert from the touchline.

With few minutes remaining, they came straight back only to have what looked like a scoring pass deliberately knocked on but Hough was unable to nail the penalty.