National League Two North: Otley 28 Sheffield Tigers 17

OTLEY clawed back a 14-point deficit to run out comfortable 28-17 winners at Cross Green against a spirited Sheffield Tigers side in National League Two North.

The hosts had the territorial advantage in the first ten minutes, but only had a missed penalty to show for it.

Just before the quarter-hour, a loose ball was picked up and James Broadley ran 40 metres to score in the corner.

The Tigers continued to pressurise and were encamped in Otley’s 22 before Peter Swatkins kicked through and dived on the ball to score, with former Otley player Mark Ireland converting both tries.

However, Otley’s response was immediate, with their backs combining to put Jack Mackie over at the corner, with the conversion attempt sliding the wrong side of the posts.

Five minutes later, Otley put a penalty into the corner and, having worked the ball inside, Tom Hodson scored, and just before half-time Sheffield were caught offside and, from the line-out, the forwards shepherded flanker Joe Graham over.

Two Ireland penalties gave Tigers the lead again, but they were cancelled out by two Joe Rowntree penalties.

In the last ten minutes, both sides vied for supremacy, and a Tigers kick into the hosts’ 22 put Otley on the back foot.

However, Otley came out with the ball and made it to the halfway line, when the visitors were penalised.

Quick thinking by Graham got them to the 22 and, with two minutes to go, Ben Bell crashed over to secure the game for Otley.