Otley 21 Bedford Blues 31

"Disappointing and frustrating" was how Otley's forwards coach Mike Barnett summed up what turned out to be a long afternoon.

The hosts had trailed 21-7 at half-time but, despite problems in the scrum, rallied in the second half to put themselves only a converted try behind.

But with Otley trying to conjure up seven points to level matters, they conceded a penalty deep into injury time and the boot of winger James Pritchard gave Bedford the win to add to their bonus point for scoring four tries.

But, after contributing so much to a match where the first half lasted 51 minutes and the second 54, Otley got nothing.

Barnett said: "We created four scoring opportunities in the first half but just couldn't finish off our breaks and if we had even scored one of those it could have made all the difference. Sometimes we could not get the ball out quickly enough."

Barnett, who had to briefly take over as a touch judge in the second half due to an injury, added: "Bedford were well on top up front and we had some problems in the scrums. That is something we will talk about but we have a young front five, and they will have learnt some lessons. However, it is credit to us that we hung in there, and we scored some great tries."

Bedford's director of rugby, former Welsh international Mike Rayer, said: "It is never easy coming to Otley and winning, but we also got a bonus point. All credit to Otley for getting so close."

Both sides had chances before Bedford full back Ross Broadfoot came into the line to telling effect in the 26th minute for Pritchard to score and convert, and a break by centre Ollie Dodge - son of former England international Paul - put flanker Adam Kettle in for a try on the half hour, Pritchard again converting.

However, Otley responded with another Maifea Maifea break, second-row Paul Williams trundling over for the try.

Scrum half Andy Brown, playing his 200th match for Otley, converted but they then lost Williams with a leg injury as he tried to run back Bedford's kick-off.

Bedford No 8 Shaun Brady got on the end of a drive to touch down in first-half injury time, Pritchard again improving, but superb interpassing from Otley's ten-metre line between Maifea and left winger Danny Smith brought the Tongan a converted try.

A solo from scrum half Karl Dickson, Pritchard again adding the extras, gave Bedford some breathing space, but Howard Parr's late try, converted by Robin Kitching, set the Blues nerves jangling.