Five-try Otley win Yorkshire derby but Gate fail to impress at Falcons

Sandal knew an away success would go a long way towards cementing their top-four position. However, Otley, who had not won since mid-November, were clearly up for the challenge and edged a competitive first half.

Tries for the backs from James Wood, Henry Roberts and James White, plus two conversions by fly-half Nick Coupland earned Otley 19 points in the first half.

Sandal were guilty of missed tackles for the tries but stayed in touch with two Greg Wood penalties and a try at the end of the half by centre Dave Martin to put them within six points.

The second half was a keenly-contested affair but again it was Otley who created the better opportunities, full-back Roberts and winger Wood breaking away to end Sandal’s hopes.

Huddersfield secured a much needed bonus-point win, by 27-20, at fellow strugglers Broadstreet to pull themselves off the foot of the table.

The hosts began the scoring with a penalty, only for Huddersfield to hit back with a try from flanker Ross Thornton. Broadstreet regained the lead with a converted try and a penalty but second row Austen Thompson kept his side in touch at the break with a second try to narrow the gap to three points.

After the interval skipper Nick Sharp led from the front, snatching the lead with Huddersfield’s third try, but again the conversion failed. However, Huddersfield secured the bonus point when centre Elliott Hodgson got away to score.

They added a fifth through winger Thomas Hodgson and fly- half Chris Bell converted to make it 27-13 until the latter stages when Broadstreet grabbed a try to earn a losing bonus point.

Harrogate played on a Premiership ground but their front-row problems unravelled as they lost 25-10 to Tynedale at Newcastle’s Kingston Park.

The match opened with high octane Harrogate running. Sound forward groundwork produced good ball and a Callum Irvine break was well supported. Full-back Barry Frost came into the line to make the extra man and Harry Barnard outpaced the defence for his maiden Harrogate try.

Sustained forward pressure led to Harrogate’s second and last try. A well-controlled driving maul ended with a Guy Coser try which put them 10-3 up but scrum offences kept Tynedale in touch. Coser and then Andy Boyde and when down to 13 men, Tynedale struck to edge ahead at the break.

James Clark and Matt Outson scored converted tries in the torrential rain to seal the win for the hosts.