NOTTINGHAM 29

Otley 22

Otley started sensationally and ended confidently and the home supporters were very relieved to hear the final whistle but it was not to be for Otley.

Richard Barlow, standing in for Peter Rutledge who has just become a father for the second time, fielding a punt down-field following the kick-off, ran wide to join with Chris

Thornton. He cut inside to make ground through the mid-field.

Simon Smith came in from the opposite wing to change the angle once again and fed Simon Hawkins who, with little room, beat three men and raced to the corner, a brilliant try.

Unfortunately Otley began to dig their own grave with countless penalties conceded in important positions.

Obstructing the scrum-half at a ruck and collapsing the scrum after winning the strike allowed Chris Atkinson to put the home side ahead with penalties in the eleventh and 28th minutes.

Immediately back on the attack Andy Brown was almost over, losing the ball when on the line but the Nottingham kick after the scrum did not find touch and it was Wayne Hartley who made the incisive break to put Barlow over.

Two minutes later the lead disappeared when full-back Richard Byrom went outside his right winger with an overlap to be given a simple try, Atkinson converting.

He then added another penalty, a fine kick from a line-out infringement but on 42 minutes Hawkins replied with a penalty under the posts.

Starting well in the second half, Otley gained a line-out deep inside the home 22 but the throw cleared Ian Carroll to land in the hands of the opposition and the chance was lost, but worse was to come.

Nottingham swept away and in panic another penalty was conceded. The kick was put into the corner and a good catch and drive had Otley on the back foot and fly-half Paul Ratcliffe slipped over.

Atkinson added his fourth penalty and then Otley's backs got into a muddle in mid-field and the dropped pass was swept up and shoved out wide and winger Richard Bygrave had a gentle run-in.

Perhaps feeling rather foolish about that fiasco the team began to perform.

There were storming runs from Ian Carroll, now appearing at flanker and all-round the handling looked secure but for all the pressure exerted in the final 10 minutes only one score materialised.

Mark Billington made a strong run to the line before handing on to Hartley to touch down, Hawkins adding the conversion and Otley were left to rue those penalties which made the difference.

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