Otley 11 Macclesfield 27

Table-topping Macclesfield’s plan to play the game in Otley’s half to deny the league’s leading scorer, Mark Ireland, opportunities paid off.

Their big forwards served director of rugby Geoff Wappett – who used to hold that position for Bradford & Bingley – well, with giant lock Dean Williams supreme in the line-out and a tyro in the loose.

Otley acquitted themselves positively, often threatening but failing with the final pass when a score looked imminent. Though their tackling was much improved, they suffered in the close-quarter exchanges.

Ireland did open the scoring on five minutes with a penalty but, three minutes later, his side found themselves back on their line from a penalty, where a confident drive allowed No 8 Ryan Parkinson to ground the ball.

Ireland hit back with a second penalty but a knock-on at the restart gave Macclesfield a scrum 30 metres out, where a quick heel and swift passing gave winger Matthew King a run in at the corner.

It was pretty even until the 27th minute when the Macclesfield pack mauled their way from 40 metres out for Parkinson to claim a second try.

After the break, Otley threatened to reduce the nine-point deficit, only for another well-crafted drive to bring Parkinson’s hat-trick.

The visitors lost Edward Stobart to the sin-bin and Otley capitalised when Harry Hudson went over in the corner.

The hosts continued to look dangerous, only to let centre Elliott Brierley slip over from a scrum on their 22, fly-half Thomas Eaton converting.