Otley 28, Launceston 25

A late scare when Launceston levelled six minutes into injury time turned to Otley delight when the expertly placed restart kick was knocked on and the scrum worked advantageously for fly half Jervis Manupenu to drop a superb goal yesterday to decide this National League One encounter.

Even then there was time left but Otley made sure of the well-earned win which has escaped them the last two games.

They took an early lead with a penalty from Manupenu but the Cornish All Blacks soon replied through full back Mal Roberts and took the lead on 15 minutes when centre Palepoi Nonu broke through, scrum half Lewis Webb finding a gap, and he was over again after winger Ben Turner had made the running.

The more mature visitors were playing to a plan but they were caught out by Otley’s speed and good handling, lock Joe Quinn bursting through the middle and excellent support saw debutant centre Joe Walsh over for his first try, and his winger quickly followed him.

The restart was run back by full back James White and handed on to Chris Morgan, who rounded his opposite number and, wrong-footed the cover to race to the line.

Manupenu converted both and Otley went into the break 17-13 ahead.

With Turner in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on - Launceston had three points for killing the ball when Otley were about to score - the lead was extended with a penalty and a superb try, centre Joe Barker and Curtis Wilson interpassing before the winger went over.

But Otley allowed substitute James Salter to reduce the lead with a try.

A yellow card for hooker Ben Steele had both side a man short but it was the visitors who rallied and, sure enough, after negotiations between referee and his assistant, a try under the posts was awarded, Tim Mathias grounding for Jacob Murphy to convert and set up the climax.