Stourbridge 10, Otley 0

Otley slipped into the National League One relegation zone, where they clearly do not belong, by virtue of being unable to finish their excellent approach play.

They magnified this deficiency when in the second half, being well on top, they declined to take three easy points when only 10-0 down, confident the tries would come but, as they failed to materialise, a bonus point went begging.

The big Stourbridge pack made their presence felt in the early stages but as Otley began to get their measure, Howard Parr, suffering a calf injury, had to retire.

However, the forwards demonstrated a growing maturity and by the end were holding the upper hand.

Stourbridge were making full use of the wind at their backs but Otley were happy to run the ball back and three times almost broke through.

Winger James Twomey was tackled into touch just short of the line, then found a gap beautifully but was unable to deliver the pass which would have put centre Joel Gill over, and full back Christian Georgiou, following a mazy run, had his pass picked up by the opposition.

A long, distinctly forward pass to veteran former Coventry man Kurt Johnson set up an attack which ended with scrum half Tom Richardson going in under the posts, full back Jon Higgins converting.

That was the only score of the first half but three more points were added soon after the break when centre Ben Hough was yellow-carded for killing the ball under the posts but, with the wind and rain at their backs, Otley began to look ever more threatening, harrying the home defence on their line for long periods but sadly being unable to get over.

They had a couple of scares, having to chase back to cover when loose ball was hacked through but they had the edge on speed and it looked increasingly like an Otley victory.

Sadly that required steadiness is not yet in evidence.