Otley hit and miss but take the spoils

Without ever looking in danger, Otley made hard work of beating bottom club Stockport but they scored some delightful tries to excite their followers.

They made the perfect start when the ball was quickly shipped to James Twomey, who left the defence for dead to score just under the two-minute mark.

The visitors, however, settled into their game plan of hard running and close support.

They gave Otley a shock when full back James Drew came up the left wing to race through to the corner.

Ben Cooper kicked a penalty for the hosts but it was not until the 27th minute that the next try came, Robert Afoa-Peterson bursting through to put Michael Coady in at the posts, Cooper converting.

The home defence was proving a little unsteady and scrum half Sam Cottrell slipped through to put Drew away for a second try.

At this point, Stockport lost No 6 Daniel Eccles to a red card for punching.

Otley took immediate advantage, driving over for Jonathan Matthews to score.

It was 14 minutes into the second half before Otley were able to build on their score, Twomey setting off in his own half to chip the defence, collect a kind bounce and finish under the posts. Cooper added the extras before retiring with an ankle injury.

Dan Temm was next on the scoresheet for the Cross Greeners, stealing a long Stockport throw at a 40-metre lineout to run through a surprised defence.

To Stockport’s credit they fought on, tries from lock Mike Waddington and winger Miles Hall earning them a bonus point, with replacement Richard Geary adding a conversion.