Otley..........................19

Worcester...............31

OTLEY could count themselves unfortunate not to have secured a couple of bonus points when taking on the league leaders. Twice they were in fingertip length of a try and they were unlucky to concede the late touchdown from a turnover whilst attacking.

Although unhappy that his team had been unable to hang on to their lead Peter Clegg was delighted with their approach, unlike visiting coach Geoff Cooke who, to quote: "Found it unacceptable that full-time players getting the money they do could not perform better."

He was reminded that it may have had something to do with the opposition.

Clegg had hoped for a wet day but Otley responded well to the ideal conditions and after conceding two early tries had the confidence to run at Worcester and for the middle 40 minutes had the better of the play, each of the backs in their turn creating gaps. Strange to say it was a back row forward who was there to take advantage.

A rather loose start allowed Worcester to create what was to be a match-winning lead, full-back Ian Calder collecting a kick ahead on his '22' to run it back and a try looked on but centre Rudi Keil knocked on.

However, Otley were unable to clear from the scrum and winger Nick Baxter, ever a thorn in Otley's side, scooped a pass down by his ankles to go over wide out where ex-Leeds player Sateki Tuipulotu converted with ease. He was to be successful with all his five attempts.

The second try was a routine affair, a penalty into the corner, a drive and on release scrum-half Chris Simpson Daniel took over and the Cross Green support were fearing the worst. However, it became clear that the home pack were holding their own, no surprise really. They have done so all season and their backs began to exploit the deficiencies of their opposite numbers and after a wonderful spell of handling and ball retention Lee Denham appeared at outside centre to score in the corner.

Otley were now buzzing and when Baxter was caught with two men to face he stuck out a leg and finished up in the sin bin for tripping whilst, in his absence James Lofthouse, on for Dan Clappison, who suffered a blow to the mouth, kicked a brace of penalties as Worcester tried everything to keep their line intact.

Back to full strength after the break the visitors were still unable to get any ball and two minutes of exquisite football ended when Denham, to his obvious delight against his old club, went over for his second touchdown.

Full points were looking an option but, for the only time, a line-out was lost and a hole punched through the middle and that man Baxter was put away, Tuipulotu again converting from the touchline.

Undeterred Otley came back with more classy football and were foiled of a try when Worcester conceded a penalty under their posts but Lofthouse brought the score to 19-21, only to see Tuipulotu reply from the restart when a defender went over the top at a tackle.

With three minutes remaining Otley had everyone up on attack but a turnover on the Worcester '22' left them short on defence and centre Alistair Murdoch cut through, winning the race to score under the posts.