Birmingham 24 Otley 29

Otley overcame injury to come from behind and win thanks to a lightning run from half-way by Ollie Cicognini.

The Cross Greeners went into this game with two new locks and a new centre pairing, one of whom, Chris Gemmell was to last just ten minutes before dislocating a shoulder and by this time they were seven points down, full back Oscar Heath coming up into the line to slice through, fly-half Lee Chapman converting and they were struggling to find their feet, facing a strong breeze.

Luck came their way when, on 24 minutes, Birmingham were awarded a penalty under the Otley posts and, with his side firing, Chapman decided on a quick tap and threw out a wild pass which Ollie Cicognini managed to grab and no one could catch him as he raced the length of the field, Ben Cooper converting.

Then at the restart a deep kick sat up for James Twomey to pick up and sprint to the posts, making it easy for Cooper to add the extras.

Birmingham were playing with confidence and a short spell of accurate passing created an opening for centre Steven Leach to slip through, Chapman converting and just before the break they retook the lead, No 8 Robert Connolly finishing off a forward drive.

Using the ball intelligently after the break, Otley began to unsettle their hosts and they levelled within six minutes, No 8 Robert Afoa-Peterson picking up at a five-metre scrum to put back row partner Jonathan Matthews over and then moving ahead with a Cooper penalty.

A fine run by No 7 Ben Temm came to nought with a turnover and winger Harry Sanders somehow managed to make his way up the touch-line to score.

Behind once more Otley pressed but it was another lightning run from half-way by Cicognini which won the day, Cooper converting.