SSE National League Two North: Stockport 19 Otley 14

DESPITE an ever-increasing injury problem, Otley never envisaged coming away from bottom club Stockport, who have only one win so far this season and are already relegated, without maximum points.

But they were shaken out of their complacency by a side who, although lacking the finer skills, were full of running, putting Otley completely out of their stride, forcing errors, claiming turnovers and gaining penalties by the minute which enabled them to retain attacking territory.

Stockport did start with a stiff wind at their backs, which was a help, but one they had to surrender at half-time when it was expected Otley would make up a 12-point deficiency. However, Stockport had other ideas.

Otley, to their credit, defended well but on 22 minutes, after hooker Ollie Longmore had been held up over the line, scrum half Will Battersbury broke from the five-metre scrum to ground by the base of a post, fly half Ashley Platt-Hughes converting.

However, Otley replied immediately, chasing the restart well for No 8 Stephen Costello to make an interception and race over, scrum half and skipper Stephen Depledge converting.

Unfortunately, this did not inspire them and they found themselves back on the defence, which was broken on 33 minutes when, from a line-out, the ball went out to the far wing where No 11 Chris Tenucci dived over, Platt-Hughes converting.

The error was compounded when, for once looking dangerous having secured their restart, a pass was intercepted and given to Battersbury, who raced to the line.

The story continued throughout the second half, and when Depledge, on 73 minutes, dodged over and then converted, Otley came to life, another score looking likely until a penalty was conceded.