National League Two North: Chester 26 Otley 12

WITH the return of skipper Freddie Watson, Nick Coupland and Tom O’Donnell, and Mike Coady making his first appearance of the season, albeit from the bench, there was a faint hope that Otley would complete the double.

However, once again they found themselves up against a bigger pack, who were the foundation of Chester’s win.

It took them very little time to express this superiority.

A well-organised driving maul had Otley floundering, prop Shaun Strudwick grounding for fly half Callum Bennett to convert, but the visitors stuck to their task.

Full back Tom Hodson kicked goals on 20 and 23 minutes, only for Chester to move ahead when former Otley No 8 David Ford picked up at the base of a five-metre scrum and powered over.

Then, right on half-time, lock Will Brown completed a spell of pressure to force his way over to secure a comfortable 19-6 lead at the break.

As usual, Otley were able to thrill the crowd.

A great run by winger Paul Petchey should have produced a try but the finish was inadequate, and Hodson took a pass at speed to run through, only to be called back for a forward pass.

Otley promised much in the second half with little reward.

However, a penalty from Hodson on 60 minutes and a further one ten minutes later by scrum half Max Johnson, after Hodson suffered a high tackle, had them in line for a bonus point.

But this hope vanished when winger Harrison Vare went over on 76 minutes, with Bennett adding the conversion.