Worcester 61
Otley 12
OTLEY suffered the fate of every team to visit Sixways this season but the crowd of almost 2,500 rose to applaud when they left the field for their part in a highly entertaining match. They tackled like demons and used every opportunity to attack, the benefit coming in the second-half when they scored two superb tries.
They also had to contend with the much publicised debut of Craig Quinnell, who although looking a useful No 6 was unable to pierce the close defence. The one time he broke through in midfield he found himself brought down and turned by Ian Shuttleworth to lose possession.
The fitness and speed, plus lots of practice, of the home side was the telling factor and their lines of running eventually had Otley running out of defenders, hence their eight tries from open play.
The penalty try in the 85th minute seemed a bit harsh, coming as it did after just a couple of penalties, when Mark Billington had not retired behind his line for the close in penalty before tackling the carrier.
The tries came at regular intervals in the first-half, Ben Hinshelwood going over after five minutes to be followed by Gary Trueman (2), Chris Catling and Tim Walsh, who converted each of them.
Soon after the break winger Duncan Roke added a sixth but Otley were beginning to close Worcester down a little, and there was a lapse of 14 minutes before Nnamdi Ezulike cut inside to go in under the posts. Otley replied with a try, starting with some excellent work from the pack. Ian Carroll broke off 35m out to side-step the full-back and go over, giving Binns an easy conversion.
Roke replied for Worcester with a try and conversion but Otley came back with a superb score from a scrum on their line.
James Tiffany broke open and Jason Oakes took the ball on before it went out to Neil Law, just returned from the sin bin. He made 40m before releasing to see the ball whipped across field where Will Darby rounded Ezulike before returning the ball inside where it was moved at speed back to Law who went over.
Prop Chris Birchall made his first team debut replacing Adam Pogson on 60 minutes but it may also be his last game for this season as he is to join Halifax Blue Sox.
The worst moment came in the 21st minute when Scottish international Hinshelwood was stretchered off with a broken leg. Bad news for Ian McGeechan and the Worcester club who have, in addition to Quinnell, acquired Chris Catling from Gloucester and Will Wigram from Wasps to cover for injuries.
If Otley can produce the same level of intensity on Saturday against Coventry, who conceded 62 points to Worcester in their previous match (Advantage Otley?), an entertaining game is in prospect.
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