Otley 87, Manchester 3

Yesterday's National League One game against luckless Manchester was an opportunity for the Otley players to express themselves and get back to winning ways in the first of a succession of matches they need to win, and they succeeded with style.

They scored after just four minutes and maintained the pressure throughout, attacking from all corners and they were given an inspirational lead from skipper Howard Parr who, though not fully fit, completed 33 minutes before leaving to an ovation.

The pack were in complete command, driving over twice from five-metre line-outs, No 7 Chris Walker grounding on each occasion and going on to claim two more as the forwards joined in the reverie.

No 6 Joe Barker was prominent in this, crossing twice and No 8 Ollie Stedman completed the back-row contribution when picking up at the base of a scrum 22 metres out to make it to the line.

Ensuring that the front row was not to be left out, prop Gareth Denman took a pass on the right wing to beat one defender and race 30 metres to the corner.

Stylish fly half Chris Georgiou began the rout after just four minutes when side-stepping neatly to go in at the posts, centre Ben Hough kicking the first of 11 conversions, four being from the touchline, and he was to run in from halfway for a try on 22 minutes. Winger James White completed the first-half scoring, finishing off a length-of-the-field move, and Mark Kirkby got into the act, coming infield to slice through the middle.

Scrum half Stephen Depledge got just reward for all his promptings, just beating the final whistle to go in at the corner.

Centre Richard Hopkinson, after striking the cross-bar from 48 metres, had more luck with a second penalty effort on 23 minutes for Manchester’s only points.