OTLEY set themselves up for a comfortable 36-12 home win against a spirited Stourbridge side, scoring four unanswered tries in the first half.

They opened the scoring after 14 minutes when a Stourbridge penalty did not find touch in Otley’s half. Cameron Burnhill ran 50 metres and gathered his own long kick to score before Ben Smith converted.

Their second try began with Jack Mackie spinning down the right-hand flank and the ball then being worked across the pitch. The move ended with Burnhill going over again.

Stourbridge kicked off again and Otley moved the ball wide in their own 22 before Stephen Nolson sprinted to the other end. He was tackled just before the line, but his momentum carried him over.

Their bonus point try came after just 33 minutes. Smith put a penalty into the corner and the pack crabbed their way towards the posts before releasing the backs. Joe Rowntree dived over and Ben Smith ended the move with the conversion.

In the second half, Stourbridge played with more purpose and were rewarded when they caught Otley offside. From the penalty in the corner, their forwards drove Jack Spencer over.

They reduced the deficit further when an Otley attack broke down and Chris Scott sent the ball deep into Otley’s 22. The hosts gave away a penalty, which was taken quickly, and Ian Rundle scored with Rickie Alley adding the extras.

Otley made the game safe when Stourbridge were penalised for handling in the ruck just before the hour mark and Ben Smith slotted the ball between the uprights.

The icing on the cake came after Kieran Wilyman momentarily juggled with the ball before passing to Paul Petchey.

He still had a bit to do, but was able to score under the posts to record Otley’s first five-try haul since January, rounding off another crowd-pleasing performance.