REPORT BY: NICK DOYLE

HAVING been up to Tynedale eight previous times for a league match and not come away with a win, Otley finally achieved that on Saturday with a dramatic drop goal at the very end of the game.

Otley kicked off with a stiff breeze behind them and were soon on the attack, keeping Tynedale penned in their half for the first five minutes. However, Tynedale then broke out, Jake Rodgers’ chip over the line was held up in the wind and Ross Clarke was just able to beat the retreating defenders to get his hand on the ball to score. Rodgers added the conversion.

Tynedale then spent the next 15 minutes on the offensive, during which time Otley’s defence held firm. Things came to a shuddering end when Elliott Morgan stopped James Clark in this tracks, and in the ensuing melee Tynedale gave away a penalty just inside Otley’s half. Joe Rowntree’s kick sailed through the posts to put Otley on the scoreboard.

Otley absorbed the restart and, having got the ball back after a Tynedale line-out, Sam Hodge getting the ball up to their 22 from where the ball went right and the move ended when Ethan Thiart blasted through to score.

A couple of knocks-on by the Northumbrians thwarted them, and Eddie Crossland’s kick landing just short of their 22. Tynedale kicked out on the full, and Otley’s maul went 10 metres from their line out before the ball was shipped out. Gavin Stead came close to scoring, the ball was recycled with Brandon Staples going over under the posts. Joe Rowntree’s conversion increased Otley’s lead on 34 minutes.

A spell of messy play by both sides ended when Ben Waddington broke down the left hand flank, Clark Wells was tackled just short of the line, Crossland’s pass giving Staples an easy score under the posts. Rowntree’s conversion bought the half to an end.

Now with the wind against them, thoughts turned to Otley’s 15 point lead and whether it would be enough. They came out positively, getting to Tynedale’s 5 metre line before knocking on. After that, play moved to the other end of the pitch and, whilst Otley defended robustly, it came at a cost. James Telford knocked on just short of the line, the visitors giving away four penalties away before getting one of their own. The relief was short-lived. The next Otley penalty bought them a yellow card, and only then were Tynedale able to reduce the deficit when William Roue went over on the hour. Otley weren’t giving up, and charged down Rodger’s conversion attempt.

Three minutes later, Otley’s lead was further reduced when they were caught offside in their 22, Rodger’s kick putting Tynedale within seven points. A magnificent run initiated by Ben Magee from within his 22, then aided by Crossland and Sam Taylor, ended when the ball was knocked on inches from Tynedale’s line. Otley got to Tynedale’s 5 metre line after two Telford penalties, but they lost the ball at the line out. Otley mounted one further attack before conceding a penalty on Tynedale’s 22, their kick taking them to within 25 metres of Otley’s line. From another line-out on Otley’s 5 metre line, skipper Chris Wearmouth crossed after 76 minutes, Rodger’s conversion levelling the scores.

Otley got the restart after Tynedale knocked on, but lost the ball with a minute to go. Tynedale kicked long, Otley returning to Tynedale’s 22 looking for a fourth try, and with 83 minutes on the clock Crossland kicked the ball between the posts to secure the win, bringing to a close a pulsating game-Otley running out 25-22 victors.