National League Two North: Otley 17 Leicester Lions 65

DESPITE Leicester Lions looking a big, well-organised side, there was nothing in the first-half’s play to suggest that injury-hit Otley would take such a hammering.

A try two minutes after the break only put them 20-17 down, but it could have been closer, with the speedy young Otley backs embarrassing the visitors at times when running the ball back, although strength and experience told in the end.

Henry Roberts was the first to shine, the winger being slung a long pass when Otley’s kick-off had been booted back to them.

He raced through and was tackled five metres short but the support was there, full back Tom Hodson stepping over and then converting.

Otley were containing their high-flying opponents but fly half James Grayson, who ran the game with his excellent kicking from hand, plus a high return on goal-kicking, nailed penalties on 14 and 28 minutes.

However, it was 31 minutes before they created a try, with centre Luke Veebel going over from a close-in scrum, with Grayson kicking the first of seven conversions.

Otley came straight back, pressing the Lions’ line when two penalties were kicked to touch, and finally flanker Tom O’Donnell went over to make it 12-13, with the conversion hitting the upright.

But slack marking allowed No 8 Dan Hartwell to score, giving the Lions an eight-point advantage at the break, but Roberts, with another great run, reduced that immediately on the restart.

However, that marked the end of Otley’s resistance, further tries coming from Grayson (46 minutes), flanker Drew Rudkin, (65), wingers Devon Constant (67 and 88) and Ben Marfo (69 and 71) and replacement Marco Dallavalle (78).