REPORT BY: NICK DOYLE

OTLEY returned to winning ways as they sealed a 45-22 victory over Preston Grasshoppers at home on Saturday.

The rain began just as Preston kicked off towards the Chevin, but the visitors were soon back in their half where they conceded a penalty.

That attack faltered but after a brief spell in their own half, Otley were back pressing for an early advantage. It came on seven minutes when Hoppers conceded their fourth penalty being offside just outside their 22, Callum Irvine opening the score.

For the remainder of the first quarter, Otley had the majority of the territory but couldn’t make that advantage pay. However, once into the second they got their chance turning the ball over outside the Hoppers 22, taking the ball into the centre where Rhys Green ran the remaining 25 metres swallow-diving under the posts to score. Irvine took the score into double figures.

Shortly afterwards Preston made it into Otley’s 22 and whilst the hosts’ defence pushed them out, Otley went offside with Greg Smith opening the visitor’s account in front of the posts.

Otley kicked a penalty into the left-hand corner, from where their forwards tried to break through the Hoppers defence. Having gone to the other side of the posts, Harry Butler picked up the ball from the back of the ruck, forcing his way round to score. Three minutes later Preston knocked on just beyond their 10-metre line, Harvey Sellers passing to Sam Connor 15 metres out who raced to the line to score.

A double knock-on in Otley’s half went Yorkshire’s way, Eddie Crossland’s 50:22 attempted was thwarted but when the ball came back Irvine’s kick went over the line. Sammy Russell was penalised for interfering, Crossland quickly getting the ball to Irvine who returned the favour with the fly-half getting Otley’s bonus point try. Irvine waited until the first half was over before kicking his fourth conversion.

Otley had a couple of chances early in the second half, but the wet ball made things difficult. Spencer Tyler ran from his 22 to Otley’s but, after a scramble, the home side were able to get the ball away. Two high tackles in succession sent Jake Maher to the bin for ten minutes, Otley going for a tap-and-go five metres out and two phases later Ben Waddington was over the line.

Although the sun had now made an appearance, things went dark for Otley when Leon Mudd was shown a red card on 54 minutes following a tussle after a scrum. Preston took full advantage kicking for the corner, from where Alfie Longstaff weaved his way to the line.

Just after the hour mark a deliberate knock-on allowed Crossland to kick the ball into the scoreboard corner, from where Otley’s pack marched their way to the line with Ryan Gibson credited with the try, Irvine getting his sixth conversion.

As Preston came out of their half, Sellers was given a yellow card for a high tackle. After one assault on Otley’s line, Preston again kicked for the cemetery corner. Longstaff peeled off the maul and was nearly over but for the defence, so he passed to Ciaran O’Donnell to ensure the try. Preston got their third try when the ball was kicked over the Otley defence with Jake Maher taking the initial pass who then gave it to Rob Willetts who came in on the angle to score - Greg Smith got his second conversion.

With five minutes left Preston were looking for a fourth so they could go home with something.

They came close, but Otley claimed a 45-22 victory.