Luctonians 17, Otley 23

With their forwards having the edge in set and loose, Otley were back to their best form, running onto the ball to look the more formidable side from the start of this SSE National League Two North clash.

Their defence was quickly tested, a penalty setting up a five-metre line-out followed by a scrum but Luctonians could make no progress against the tight cover.

A turnover and a breakaway took Otley into the home 22, where Mark Ireland was presented with a simple penalty.

Full back John Morris equalised but Otley were running the game and, in a sweeping move, Ireland drew the defence before putting centre Michael Coady in at the posts.

Three minutes later, taking a pass from a scrum on the 22, Ireland cut through untouched, converting both for a 17-3 half-time lead.

Six minutes after the break, he added a second penalty but Luctonians were able to make things more difficult when Otley lost scum half James Doherty to the sin-bin in the 53rd minute.

His replacement Stephen Depledge followed 16 minutes later, and No 8 Simon Raper was yellow-carded in the 74th minute, Luctonians getting lock Paul Hulland over from a drive, fly half William Burton converting.

A third penalty from Ireland gave Otley some relief but alarm bells rang when No 8 Adam Clayton burst through under the posts, Burton converting to get them within six points with the visitors being two men short.

However, Otley, for whom flanker Daniel Temm was playing his last match before joining Aviva Premiership Newcastle Falcons, covered to great effect for the remaining 14 minutes for a welcome victory.