Newbury 20, Otley 14

Newbury, who, because of cash restraints, have been forced to renegotiate their rugby budget, made a great effort to ensure this National League One game took place yesterday, borrowing frost-proof covering from their neighbours at the famous racecourse.

And it proved most efficient, much to the satisfaction of their visitors who had made an overnight stop for this distant fixture.

With skipper Howard Parr fully fit, they made an excellent start, setting up camp in the home 22 and deservedly took the lead when No 8 Ollie Stedman strode over after just five minutes, fly half Simon Brown converting.

Otley continued to have the upper hand but, as is their wont, failed to turn advantage into points and suffered when Newbury at last generated pressure on their line, the referee eventually awarding a penalty try, which was converted by fly half Mitch Burton.

Parity of 7-7 at half-time hardly reflected the flow of the game but a couple of minutes after the break Otley went ahead when No 6 Richard Back went in for a try which Brown converted.

Otley looked on their way to victory, only to let Newbury back into the game five minutes later, No 8 Josh Ovens crashing over.

After a further five minutes, the home side took the lead when winger Chris Ridgers escaped to score wide out.

Burton established a six-point lead with a penalty on 62 minutes and his accurate kicking from hand played a large part in a solid home defence which, despite being under pressure for most of the last quarter, remained intact.

Otley thus returned home with just a bonus point which makes no improvement on their league position but could prove invaluable, this being one area which has proved infertile.