Blackheath 12, Otley 17

Otley overcame three sin-binnings to beat third-placed Blackheath and go top of the table.

They were in complete control of this vital game and heading for a big score until Kris Fullman and Richard Snowball received yellow cards in the 40th and 41st minutes.

It meant they had to call on all their experience to restrict the big home pack to just a penalty try on 45 minutes.

They suffered again on 67 minutes when, after Ian Shuttleworth had illegally pulled down winger Roman Piotrowski, referee Mr Phil-lips mistook him for Rob Whatmuff, who got the yellow card.

Blackheath - who had England Sevens scrum half Joe Simpson in their ranks - were given swift notice that they were in for a hard game. Paul Williams ran back a clearing kick and swift hands had the ball to Alastair Monks, who drew the full back before giving Matt Stockdale a 25-metre dash to the line.

Shuttleworth's conversion put Otley seven points up within a couple of minutes.

A 42-metre penalty attempt by Shuttleworth bounced back off the cross bar but he nudged Otley further ahead with a good strike from wide out on 23 minutes.

They should have added to that when the pack mauled their way into the home 22 from halfway only to have a decision for pulling down reversed for a punch being thrown.

However, a superb chip for Steve Parsons by scrum half Dave McCormack bounced well for the winger and he raced in to add to the lead, Shuttleworth converting.

Trouble arose when the restart was not secured, putting Otley under pressure and drawing the mistakes which caused the first two dismissals.

And though Blackheath were unable to make much impression with their driving, they forced the penalty try which was converted by fly half Matthew Leek.

Beginning the second half still short-handed, Otley showed why they have the best defensive record in the league, depriving Blackheath of any chance of a break-through.

Even after losing a centre late in the game, it came as a surprise when the home side created an overlap for Piotrowski to go in at the corner, sneaking a bonus point.