National League Two North: Tynedale 50 Otley 17

OTLEY'S rather complacent approach was in stark contrast to that of Tynedale, who are desperate for points to avoid relegation, and the visitors were played off the park.

The artificial grass surface at Newcastle Falcons’ ground – Tynedale’s ground is still suffering from infrastructure damage after the floods – may have contributed as it is considered to have a tiring effect, and Otley certainly appeared that way in a disastrous second half when they were unable to contain a side who never stopped coming at them.

There was no sign of this at the start, however, and fifth-placed Otley went ahead after eight minutes when lock Declan Dunn was driven over from a line-out.

However, the visitors messed up the restart, allowing Tynedale flanker Matt Charters to go in under the posts, fly half Robert Parker kicking the first of his six conversions.

Otley were soon back in the lead, lock Jack Scott-Paul grounding for fly half Nicholas Coupland to convert, before Parker levelled matters with a penalty.

A converted try from Ben Steele was then cancelled out by one for prop Ben Haigh to take the score to 17-17 at half-time.

Having appeared to be the better side until then, however, the picture changed dramatically for Otley, whose failing energies could not subdue rampant hosts who scored at regular intervals through winger James Clark, replacement No 8 Nick Cairns, left winger Oliver Walker, replacement lock Ben Bell and replacement hooker Jamie Blamire to give Tynedale five unexpected points in their fight for survival.