Cambridge 31, Otley 3

Otley went into the break with an unlikely 3-0 lead yesterday in this National League One clash, a 40th- minute penalty from centre Ben Hough censuring Cambridge for a lack of vision as, with their heavier pack, they concentrated fully on grinding their opponents into the ground - perhaps in retaliation for past experiences.

Such was their determination that it was 31 minutes before they, without success, allowed their backs a quick run before immediately reverting to plan A.

Even with scant possession, it was Otley who showed the more enterprise, but their main occupation was defence, though they came close when fly half Chris Georgiou spotted an opening to burst through, finding support 50 metres on.

Hough was wide with a drop-goal attempt when the attack was held. This gave them confidence and they began to play with some flair to create positions for Hough.

There was an early setback after the break when fly half Lloyd Cole knocked over a penalty from 35 metres but they continued to make progress with well-constructed play, only for the final pass to go astray.

One such error gave Cambridge a line-out, which led to a try for South African winger Johannes Schmidt and, after a second Cole penalty, it was opposite winger William Martin who was put away from a quickly-taken tap penalty to race to the posts.

Cole added the conversion, following this with a third penalty just three minutes later as Cambridge began to find the gaps in a tiring defence.

Stealing Otley’s throw some 30 metres out, Cambridge turned the ball for Schmidt to come up the touchline, stretching in the tackle to get in at the corner.

Fighting to the last, Otley desperately repelled a final onslaught until, after four scrums on their line, the home forwards at last got some reward when lock Dan Legge was driven over.