Otley 18 Stourbridge 12

OTLEY were given a hard game by Stourbridge, who, in recent years, have harboured hopes of promotion from National League Two North.

However, they once again fell short at Cross Green, where the home defence was magnificent, especially in the final quarter.

The hosts’ usual good start gave scrum half Stephen Depledge the chance to land a penalty within three minutes and, having the edge in the set-piece, had the visitors on the back foot.

After a Stourbridge scrum was turned, in the 15th minute, Depledge broke blind to feed winger Harry Hudson, whose kick and chase forced a line-out.

A good delivery gave the midfield backs room to carve open the defence, centre Jack Mackie powering over wide out and Depledge converting before adding a second penalty four minutes later.

A penalty into the corner then set Stourbridge up for a drive, which led to No 8 Drew Harper breaking off to score but Otley left winger Harry Roberts responded with a try after the hosts had won a line-out and pulled the visitors’ defence right and left.

Despite trailing 18-5, Stourbridge came out after the break with more enthusiasm.

Otley had to work hard but coped adequately until the 51st minute when two successive penalties had them back on their line.

The visitors got over but were held up, and three penalties later a penalty try was awarded, fly half Ryan Coalan adding the conversion.

Now just six points behind, Stourbridge were playing with renewed vigour, causing a panic when a mix-up in defence gave them a five-metre scrum but the home pack stole the put-in to clear.

Otley sensibly kept the ball up their jumpers for the remaining minutes to protect the victory.