Liverpool St Helens 17

Otley Saracens 16

DUE to the ever-lengthening injury list it was a much changed Saracens side again that travelled to Moss Bank with hooker Mike Hallewell having to operate in the second row. In spite of this Saracens made a lively start with James Vyvyan taking a good catch and drive.

Liverpool eventually cleared but a good penalty set up a position on the home line and after several phases the ball was moved out and Simon Hawkins made a tricky run to cross wide out.

The home side hit back but they could not pierce a strong Saracens defence and Otley broke out with a run from Kris Keinhorst who made ground before off-loading to the support.

Otley won the resulting scrum and when Simon Hawkins was stopped Liverpool were penalised and he kicked the penalty to make it 8-0 at half-time.

With the elements in their favour Liverpool were soon on the attack from the re-start and excellent passing resulted in a try in the corner. The conversion was missed but they were soon on the attack again and after considerable pressure the pack drove over to take the lead.

Saracens looked shaky but a good line kick took play to the home 22 and when the home No 8 was sin-binned Simon Hawkins kicked the resulting penalty to regain the lead. Saracens sensed victory and piled on the pressure. Hawkins was just wide with a drop goal attempt before the pack drove over but the referee ruled held up.

Otley would not be denied and when they moved it wide Steve Reid made a good run to score in the corner but the conversion was just wide. It looked as though Saracens' spirit was to be rewarded but deep into injury time the Liverpool fly-half made a good crossfield run to produce a try in the corner.

The home kicker, who had never looked like kicking a goal all afternoon, added the conversion from the touch line to snatch victory at the death.

Otley Tongans 15

Leeds Medicals 5

WITH a much changed side Tongans had to work hard to retain their unbeaten record after an excellent start. In the first scrum Otley took the strike against the head and quick handling across the backs saw Craig Jackson score in the corner.

Keeping up the pressure quick possession to the backs enabled Will Foster to ghost through and score near the posts and add the conversion. Tongans appeared to take their foot off the pedal and with Medicals doing well in the line-outs and loose they came more and more into the game but there was no further score before half-time. Tongans tried to pick up their game but they could not pierce the Medicals' ferocious defence which led to numerous turn-overs.

Midway through the half the visitors play was rewarded when their pack drove over. It was now Tongans' time to defend which they did successfully and in the closing minutes they broke out and a penalty by Will Foster clinched victory