National League Two North: Otley 26 Macclesfield 27

HAVING declined to play in February because of a wet pitch, Macclesfield returned to find Cross Green more to their liking.

But they also found Otley in fine fettle, and the potential champions, who won the reverse 38-27, soon found they had a game on their hands.

Using their big forwards well, they applied early pressure, and their confidence had Otley conceding penalties, but the hosts' cover tackling was first rate - until the tenth minute when a drive from a close-in line-out enabled No 8 Ryan Parkinson to score, fly half Lewis Barker converting.

The visitors were looking workmanlike and used the strong wind intelligently, but they received a setback on 17 minutes when full back Henry Roberts, catching a kick ahead, raced through Macclesfield chasers before handing on to winger James Wood who, on reaching the 22, passed to flanker Matt Heaton, who gave a try-scoring pass to fellow flanker Tom O’Donnell.

There was a mishap on the re-start, however, when an attempted clearance kick was charged down, bouncing just right for the visitors who were gifted a try for flanker Max Smith.

And their tactics were rewarded when, just before the break, hooker Sam Moss was driven over, and the same procedure took them further ahead eight minutes into the second half, replacement prop Elliott Miller-Mills scoring their fourth try to put them into a comfortable 22-5 lead.

Over-excitement brought a yellow card for Parkinson though, and Otley took their chance, producing 13 minutes of marvellous rugby.

A well-ordered drive put No 8 Freddie Watson over, a break by Stephen Depledge from a line-out had Macclesfield totally confused, and centre Jack Mackie was over before adding another, all converted by Depledge as Otley moved 26-22 ahead.

However, playing like champions should, the visitors raised their game in the final minutes and, although Otley held them out with voracious tackling, they got the ball down the line for replacement winger Rhodri Major to go in at the corner to win the match.