Moseley 36, Otley 26

Otley scored four tries to take a bonus point but their weak start, allowing Moseley to run in three tries in the first ten minutes, proved to be beyond their powers of recovery.

The disappointing thing for the Cross Greeners was that so many of the tries they conceded were from set-pieces.

Their confident opening was short-lived when inside centre Andy Reay cut through following a line-out on half-way.

Left-winger Nathan Bressington tracked him to receive a pass on the line and stroll over at the posts, fly half Richard Vasey making a simple conversion.

He had another one two minutes later after No 8 James Rodwell completed a well-supported attack from the restart.

To add to the visitors’ woes, an attempted pick-up at the base of a scrum on their 22 was knocked on. From the resultant scrum Rodwell broke blind and passed inside to No 6 Neil Mason, who made it to the line.

However, Otley showed their spirit by regrouping well.

After running the ball from a line-out, the Cross Greeners brought Robin Kitching into play and he drew the last two defenders before handing on to Paul Williams, who went in at the corner.

That made the score 19-5 after just 13 minutes before the home side went further in front with an all-out attack which left Otley short of cover, right winger Charlie Sharples going in at the corner on 35 minutes.

Paul Mooney crashed through to reduce the deficit five minutes later, Rhodes adding the conversion, and Mooney was in again soon after the interval.

Rhodes’ conversion closed the gap to just five points but, from the restart, Reay’s deep kick was reached by replacement centre Tristan Roberts for a touchdown and Vasey converted.

Having faith in their pack, Otley refused a number of chances to kick for goal, choosing the touchline and it paid dividends when No 8 Mike McCornish went over, drawing a fine conversion from Rhodes.

They were once again within a score of the hosts but Moseley closed them out with a late try, centre Jack Adams finding a way through and another game had slipped away.

Plymouth are the visitors to Cross Green on Saturday.