REPORT BY: NICK DOYLE

JOE Rowntree’s first conversion saw him eclipse a record that has stood for nearly 18 years, and he becomes the highest try converter in Otley’s league history.

Sheffield Tigers’ opening kick towards the Chevin was caught by Rhys Green who took it back into the opposition half. Within 40 seconds of that opening kick, and a couple of quick phases by Otley, Joe Potter who was making his first start went over to score under the posts. Rowntree’s 184th successful kick saw him take the record previously held by Simon Binns.

Otley came close to a second try, but shortly afterwards lost the ball at the breakdown in their half giving the impetus back to the Tigers. They then moved the ball right before James Broadley kicked the ball in front of James Norman who grabbed it to score in the clubhouse corner.

After keeping play in the Sheffield half, Otley started to build some momentum. It ended with Eddie Crossland dummying his way to the line from outside the opposition 22 to score just as the quarter hour mark arrived. Rowntree added the conversion from in front of the posts.

The game was pretty even for the next 15 minutes until Otley were caught offside in their 22. After a line-out on the right, the Tigers pack had multiple attempts to try and break the Otley line but were held back. They changed tactics with Mark Ireland kicking the ball into the opposite corner, were Louis Redfern caught it and fended off the tackler to score with Ireland adding the conversion.

The hosts lost possession in the Tigers’ 22 and the visitors kicked out into the Otley half where it was knocked-on. Tigers got a penalty at the scrum on the 10-metre line, but the kick drifted wide.

Two minutes later, the home side had an opportunity after Sheffield came in from the side but the ball went the same way leading to a half-time score of 14-12.

Ten minutes into the second half there was another exchange of penalty kicks. Otley were caught offside mid-way in their half. Ireland’s kick missed and from the restart the game quickly moved into the Tigers’ 22. A high tackle close to the posts gave Rowntree the opportunity to extend the lead which he took.

Tigers were beginning to dominate the game, especially at the scrum, and the hosts’ penalty count was mounting. From a scrum in Otley’s half, where there was another penalty, George Talbot grubber kicked the ball into the home side’s 22. It was picked up by Will Baker who then passed it to Louis Redfern who scored in the left-hand corner, levelling the scores.

Otley’s response was initially rebuffed, but from a line-out in the Sheffield half they went again. A high tackle saw Dan Hawksworth get a yellow, with the hosts kicking for the corner. Sam Hodge nearly scored, Rowntree getting the ball out to Green who muscled his way over the line. Rowntree was again on song.

The Cross Greeners had a spell of defending their line, they initially kept the Tigers out but had to go again after another penalty. From a line-out, the Tigers’ pack forced their way over the line with Will Archer adding to the scoreline. Ireland’s low but successful kick brought the scores level again with seven minutes to play.

A number of penalties, by both sides, extended the game by some five minutes but the whistle blew at 24-24.

Otley are away at bottom-placed Harrogate this weekend, kick-off 2:00 pm, before returning to Cross Green in December.