Otley 33

Penzance/Newlyn 6

THE biggest crowd of the season so far were full of praise as Otley once again produced rugby out of the top drawer to sweep aside one of the fancied sides in League One, their forwards once again in control and their big backs causing mayhem.

At one stoppage Penzance had four players receiving treatment. The visitors were not without players of ability but the home cover is excellent.

They have conceded the fewest tries (five) in the league with Worcester on six and there were try-saving tackles of the highest calibre at various times, Ian Shuttleworth, Will Darby and Chris Kendra were there when required.

The excitement was not slow in coming, for in a first-half of awesome power Otley blitzed their way to a 21-6 lead and by 64 minutes had secured the bonus point for four tries, the opening score coming from their kick-off when a knock-on gave Penzance a scrum which was mercilessly destroyed and Simon Binns kicked a resultant penalty.

Otley were recycling very well and patiently and when Justin Wring broke away from a drive into the Penzance 22 he found Shuttleworth coming up at speed to sneak over and the score was 11-0 after just ten minutes.

He was soon back on the attack after Jason Oakes had made ground from a charged down kick and although pulled down the scattered defenders conceded a penalty which gave Binns no trouble.

Rob Thirlby, a full-back with a number of top clubs on his cv, having missed an earlier chance, kicked a penalty, but Otley maintained their pressure, and after keeping the ball alive through six tackles Sovatabua broke through, and this time it was Oakes in a support role and he went in under the posts.

Binns converted and two minutes into added time Thirlby kicked his second penalty.

After the break Otley were called upon to defend but forcing a turnover, one of many throughout the game on their 22, saw them break away, the move ending with a penalty which Binns put into the corner and routine drive had Scott Connor over.

Ten minutes later, scorning a safe penalty from under the posts, Binns used the opposite touchline and Connor obliged again, bringing out a fine conversion from his fly-half.

They were almost over again from the re-start, Rob Whatmuff breaking through the middle and putting a long pass to Sovatabua 30 metres out, but the pass was called forward.

With the bonus point secured Otley brought on their replacements but the intensity did not fall and they were able to handle a late surge.

Another good day looms on Saturday with England v South Africa on the big screen at 1pm followed by the Powergen Cup encounter with Bristol Shoguns, a team out to revenge a league defeat at their Memorial Ground just three weeks ago.

Otley have not been beyond the fourth round since they reached the last 16 for the only time in their history in 1993/94. They beat Dings Crusaders 10-3 in the last round.

Bristol won the cup in 1982/83 and were victorious over Manchester 44-22 at the Memorial Stadium to reach round four of the Powergen Cup. The Shoguns have not won an away cup tie since they beat Bedford 37-0 in the fifth round in February 1996.

The winners will play host to Orrell or Henley Hawks in the fifth round and the plum tie awaiting the winners of that game is a game against London Wasps in the sixth round.

Otley (home to Bristol Shoguns, meet at 1.30 pm for 3 pm kick-off) from: I Shuttleworth, S Hawkins, M Coultas, W Savatabua, W Darby, R Whatmuff, N Law, D Scully, C Kendra, M Aspinall, J Wring, M Luffman, C Booth, D Sayers, K Fullman, J Oakes, M Wright, I Carroll, J Tiffany, N Bland, S Connor, E Thorpe, N Southern.