Otley in the points but Caldy snatch victory

A much-improved performance by Otley secured them two bonus points and they were within four minutes of taking a maximum before Caldy grabbed a late converted try to sneak ahead by a single point.

Kicking off with a strong wind at their backs, the visitors were kept busy by a well-organised side with good ball retention.

However, a turnover gave them a chance, the ball going cross-field and back for No 7 Freddie Watson – who formed an excellent back row with Tom O’Donnell and Joe Armitage – to race in at the corner.

The lead was short-lived, though, as centre Gavin Roberts broke through the middle and fly half Richard Vasey converted for the hosts.

Otley were quick to reply, with O’Donnell charging through the central defence to go in at the posts and centre Chris Gemmell added the conversion.

Running back the restart, Caldy lost control and a big Otley boot sent the ball down-field. It was pursued by winger Harry Hudson, who accurately hacked to the line and won the chase.

Caldy came back with a try from a scrum on Otley’s 22, straightforward passing getting winger Craig Ross in at the corner.

Just before the break, pressure on the home line brought a penalty, Gemmell’s kick securing an eight-point lead but, on 61 minutes, No 7 Nyle Davidson surged over.

Vasey converted and, facing a strong wind and heavy rain, Otley had to really dig in.

They looked to be handling the situation well as Gemmell went in for a try, only for Caldy full back Andrew Souter to come up on the outside and score before Vasey’s conversion settled the result.