Otley let 12-point lead slip (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Otley let 12-point lead slip

7:19pm Sunday 12th April 2009 in

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Sedgley Park 36, Otley 29

Having been 29-17 up after 53 minutes, Otley again suffered from a lack of resources on the bench and saw their chance of moving up the table disappear in a flurry of late scoring by the hosts.

The visitors made a poor start when, after a forward pass had ruled out an early home try, they allowed fly half Mark Atkinson to slip through for a try, which was converted by centre Phil Jones.

Minutes later, a high tackle gave him the chance to extend the lead.

Otley began to make amends as full back Peter Wackett, after taking a pass at speed up the touchline, put in a neat chip, which he caught on the full to race 50 metres to the corner.

Then, after a 30th-minute penalty from Alistair Monks, Dan Hyde put centre Luther Burrell on a scything run to the posts to give Monks a simple conversion.

Otley were looking comfortable with a 15-10 half-time lead but they made a dreadful start after the break, allowing lock Ben Lloyd to break away from a ruck. When he was eventually pulled down, No 6 Juan Crous picked up to gallop to the posts for Jones to convert.

The Cross Greeners quickly struck back when Paul Williams broke 30 metres out to make the line, Monks converting. Prop Ryan Wederell was then driven over, the conversion putting them comfortably ahead.

However, Park smelled the chance of a rare win and they succeeded with apparent ease thanks to a try from centre Chris Hall and a couple from Jones, who converted two.

Otley threw everything into a final attempt to force a draw but it was to no avail.