London Scottish 38, Otley 22

With London Scottish well placed in the promotion fight and Otley in desperate need of league points at the other end, the Cross Greeners were up against it from the start.

They were under no illusions about the reception they would get in Richmond but failed to withstand early pressure.

Their defence was all at sea and they found themselves 19-3 down after just 14 minutes.

Left winger Dave Howells was given a free run to the line almost from the kick-off.

Full back Christian Georgiou replied with a penalty to give Otley hope but the visitors were penalised for handling in the ruck and were soon under the cosh again.

The kick found touch in their 22 and a solid drive from the line-out had prop Craig McGrath forced over, full back Craig Radford converting.

It was then the turn of centre Gary Trueman to slice through far too easily, Radford adding the conversion as the game already seemed to be slipping beyond Otley.

Gathering their wits, Gary Walker’s troops began to take a hold and slow things down but on 37 minutes, they went further behind when right winger Charles Broughton fought his way over, Radford again converting.

The West Yorkshire side’s chances were not helped when No 8 Ollie Stedman was yellow-carded just before the break but they managed to come through unscathed.

And things looked up on 53 minutes when scrum half Stephen Depledge went in for a try, Georgiou converting. However, the Exiles struck again, No 7 Lewis Calder finishing off a series of pick-and-drive moves.

After fly half Joe Barker had crossed for Otley, Calder added a second, each converted by Radford.

With 20 minutes remaining, the visitors had their sights set on a bonus point. That looked on when, after 73 minutes, James Kleinhorst crossed for a third try, centre Ben Hough converting, but they could make no further impression.

Meanwhile, the weather continued to frustrate several local clubs as cold temperatures meant games involving Wharfedale, Keighley, Bradford Salem, Baildon and Wibsey were postponed.