Stockport 31, Otley 0

An unbelievable finish saw Otley, after being in charge throughout but unable to turn their superiority into points, fall to pieces and concede 31 unanswered points in the last 21 minutes.

Playing into a strong, cold wind, Otley had by far the better of the first half.

The visitors used their forwards in an effort to widen their approach to good effect but were unable to capitalise on their advantage, the line out again proving a stumbling block by wasting hard won positions.

Stockport were hardly ever in the game, losing two players to the sin bin as they struggled to keep Otley at bay and they were fortunate to reach half-time at 0-0.

Coming out after the break, Otley continued in the same vein but it was just too predictable, and Stockport, although showing no signs of advancing themselves, were able to cope until Otley introduced a number of changes of personnel and line-up.

A penalty allowed the home side a rare visit to the Otley half and their forwards drove well before releasing for full back Steven Pearson to join the line and stroll in.

This brought consternation to the Otley side and six minutes later, out of nothing, left winger Scott Redfern was allowed through and with great ease they added more tries through flanker Tom Cruise (72 minutes) and lock David Hopkins (77), and as Otley’s defence crumbled completely, winger Jamie Anthony sauntered over, fly half Joshua Longmore kicking three conversions.