Otley 27, Exeter 29

EXETER arrived at Cross Green full of confidence, having lost to Otley only twice before, once at home back in Division Three and again last season. In addition they scored a hefty 69 points at the County ground in December.

They have recruited far and wide, putting together a squad which has kept them in the top four for all but two weeks despite having played fewer games than anyone else.

In the event they were delighted to come away with five points in a game they may well have lost.

Their renowned pack struggled to match the Otley eight who carried on the good work of recent weeks.

It was a remarkable game with the lead changing hands eight consecutive times and it took a 75th minute penalty which put Exeter two scores ahead to decide the match, Otley's brilliant 81st minute try coming too late.

Both sides were guilty of errors, a forward pass frustrating visiting winger Phil Williams' scoring opportunity in the first minute.

This was quickly followed by a near miss by Tony Yapp with a straight penalty, a fate which befell Simon Binns on eight minutes but the deep re-start was handed on to Ian Shuttleworth, who put in a raking 50 metre kick into the corner where Otley gained a penalty as Exeter went off-side at the line-out and this time Binns made no mistake.

A break by Yapp created an opening for Williams to go over, the fly-half duly converting, but a powerful tackle in midfield created a turnover and Will Darby skinned his opposite number (he was to do it again later which caused Williams to be replaced) and on making the line found Chris Kendra up in support to hand on to Ian Carroll who finished off, Binns converting from the touchline.

A charge up the wing by second row Dave Sims had Otley in trouble and their stretched defence could not handle No 7 Chris Hansen

when the ball was turned inside.

Yapp, just having failed with another penalty attempt, made no mistake with the conversion.

The score swung yet again with a Binns penalty but Otley were left leaden-footed when sub Gary Kingdom, with his first touch of the ball, intercepted a floated pass with a vacant field before him.

Yapp's conversion took Exeter into the break with a 19-13 lead.

With the aid of two penalties Otley soon gained a foothold near the Exeter line where a ferocious battle ended when prop Dennis Hazelton broke from a maul to drive over, Binns again putting his side ahead when he converted.

It was against the run of play when Exeter re-took the lead, full-back Glenn Bunny coming into the line and finding a way through to set up a try for sub James Shanahan.

This was converted by Yapp who then added a penalty with just five minutes to go.

Binns was wide with a 35 metre penalty attempt but Otley hurled themselves forward. Replacement Gareth Manuel broke away down the right wing to set up another drive for the line.

From there the ball went out to Binns who once again chipped the ball through a flat defence for the ever-alert Neil Law to pounce on but after the conversion Otley were still two points adrift.

However, they will travel to Manchester on Saturday in good heart seeking another away victory.