National League Two North: Macclesfield 38, Otley 27
OTLEY played a full part in this excellent, high-scoring game, deserving more than their solitary point.
They were pressing in the final quarter but were only able to score one try in this period.
The visitors made a bad start, a knock on as they followed their kick-off rebounding into the arms of home full back Charlie Venables, who raced through a scattered defence, handing on to winger Rhodri Mayor to cross wide out.
But Otley replied immediately. Gaining possession at the re-start, centre Mike Coady forced his way through before handing on to supporting flanker Matt Heaton to score for skipper Stephen Depledge to convert.
Four minutes later, scrum half kicked a penalty, and four minutes after that he shadowed Coady on another of charges to accept his pass and touch down, converting for a 17-5 lead.
A direct kick into touch, from a pass back into their 22, cost Otley a line-out on their 22, and a strong drive had them going backwards, lock David Marwick grounding and fly half Lewis Barker converting.
A converted try from centre Elliot Brierley just before half-time helped Macclesfield retake the lead but there was just time for centre Henry Roberts to overturn that with a fine run in.
However, two minutes after the break the score swung again when winger Joshua Fowles scored, Barker converting, and Macclesfield began to draw further away with a second try for Mayor and a second for Marwick, this one bieng converted for a 38-22 lead with 18 minutes remaining.
With the home supporters expecting a rout, Otley lifted their game, winger Alexander Beaumont grabbing a try, but they could not further their cause.
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