COVENTRY........38

Otley...............27

OTLEY secured a vital bonus point, scoring four tries, in a most entertaining game but the spectre of relegation still hangs over them and they face a vital home game with Bedford on Saturday.

Orrell's victory over Birmingham/Solihull gained them some respite and Bedford enter the reckoning with a re-arranged match at Birmingham on Wednesday before visiting Cross Green on Saturday, when Birmingham will be hosting Worcester and Orrell will be at home to London/Welsh.

With only two points separating the four sides it will not be clear as to who joins Waterloo until then, especially as bonus points will seriously enter the equation.

Coventry are a big strong side and for too long Otley tried to take them on in the forwards, not until late in the game changing tactics and running them around, thereby moving from a 44 minute deficit of 27-8 to 32-27 in 14 minutes, only losing a second bonus point by conceding two late penalties to the reliable Martyn Davies.

No 8 Julian Horrobin was soon prominent with a strong break to put winger Kurt Johnson clear. Davies converting but Otley struck back with a long range penalty from Dan Clappison and minutes later were in the lead when Andy Brown broke away, finding Jonathan Burke in support and he chose Mark Kirkby out of the three queuing up to score, Clappison converting.

Horrobin was again in evidence with a pick up at the base of a scrum close in and he powered his way out for Davies to add the conversion. Two more penalties for the full-back secured a home 20-8 half-time advantage.

The lead was extended four minutes after the re-start when a hopeful kick ahead was run back at Otley with some vigour, winger Jason Minshull finishing the move and Davies converted.

It was now Burke's turn to demonstrate his prowess with a strong break from the back of the scrum where he eluded the cover to give Brown a simple run in to the posts, an easy conversion for Clappison but the relief was short-lived as Johnson sped over for his second try.

Otley began to re-jig their side - Sam Gardner coming on as full-back allowing Ian Shuttleworth to move up to fly-half and the effect was instantaneous. He judged an interception magnificently and found the line open, setting the ball down to give himself a simple conversion and seven minutes later an effective break gave Brown another stroll over, the conversion sadly hitting the upright.

With 15 minutes remaining and only seven points behind, Otley had their tails up but they were killed off by those two late penalties which denied them that second bonus point.

Driffield.............27

Otley..................31

There were problems getting into Driffield for a 6 pm kick-off and the mainly Saracens team made a shaky start.

Otley gradually got their game together and came from behind to earn a narrow win. Jonathan Bennett scored two tries as did Dan Clappison, who also kicked four conversions and a penalty.

The back row of Ian Judson, Ian Spence and Tony Greig got through a lot of work and had a lively game at scrum- half.

Old Brods soon showed they were up for it as they came at Otley from the kick-off but the defence held. Breaking out slick handling got the ball to Jonathan Bennett who crashed over in the corner.

Brods hit back with a penalty but the Otley backs were moving well now and Ryan Duckett joined the line at pace to score and then won the race for a kick through.

Will Darby added to the tally with a run to the posts before Ian Spence powered over. Colts prop Duncan Setterington completed the scoring when he was up in support. Alistair Monks converted all three second-half tries. Brods kicked two penalties. In a good team performance Sam Gardner had a good game at scrum-half. Ryan Duckett showed more of his old form.