Ireland proves shining light for Otley while injury-hit Harrogate give the leaders a fright

Sheffield Tigers produced good attacking rugby throughout and took the lead with an early penalty but they found the home cover defence extremely tight and Otley’s more imaginative approach earned them a 40-16 victory.

Otley’s shining light was fly-half Mark Ireland, who quickly replied to the early setback with a neat chip over the defence to score, convert and then add a penalty.

A smart cross-field move put winger Harry Hudson in at the corner but just before the break centre William Carrington kicked his second penalty for the visitors only for Ireland kick a 40-metre penalty when centre Jonathan Buchanan was yellow-carded for a trip tackle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Two minutes into the second-half, Ireland looped round his centres to cross wide out and Otley moved further ahead with a try from winger James Wood.

A strong drive from the Sheffield forwards sent substitute Joshua Redfern over but No 7 Dan Temm hit straight back with a break from a scrum, converted by Ireland, who, after full-back Peter Watkins had crossed for the Tigers, ended the game with another penalty.

Birmingham Solihull brushed aside the challenge of Hull, who were only one league point adrift prior to the match, to run out 32-21 winners at Chanterlands Avenue.

Early tries by full-back Oscar Heath and second-row Chris Goddard, the first converted by Adam Canning, put the visitors 12-3 ahead, Hull replying with the first of three penalties by James Cameron.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Heath scored another try, Canning converting and adding a penalty to put Birmingham in the driving seat at 22-3 before the home side broke through for their first try just on half-time, full-back Jamie Barnard getting the touchdown and Cameron converting.

Cameron’s next two penalties put Hull back to within six points. But Canning added another penalty and then converted when hooker William Radburn crashed over for a try.

Hull hit back with the last play of the match when scrum-half Sean Hay raced over for a try but it was too little too late.

Ravaged by injuries, a largely inexperienced Harrogate side gave league leaders Macclesfield a scare before losing 42-28.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The visitore were actually 20-15 ahead at half-time but Macclesfield’s power-play prevailed in the second half and, more importantly, Harrogate were further weakened by another run of serious injuries.

Having used all their substitutes, they actually finished the match with only 14 players.

Tom Eaton’s penalty and tries from Tom Mantell and Elliot Brierley, the later converted by Mike Barlow, made it 15-0 in as many minutes and it all looked ominous for Harrogate.

From the restart, Harrogate pressed and even though Jake Brady went off injured, Oli Denton crossed and Joe Rowntree converted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Eaton was sent to the sin bin and Rowntree’s penalty brought the score to 15-10. Denton’s deceptive pace saw him glide through the midfield to give a scoring pass to Jordan Davies, who thundered over from 20 metres.

Rowntree converted and put Harrogate ahead with a penalty.

A fired up Macclesfield hit back after the break through Barlow’s try before Ed Stobart scored a converted try.

A Macclesfield offside offence led to a penalty from Rowntree and Harrogate continued to attack at every opportunity.

A knock-on ended a creative counter attack, Macclesfield set up a driving maul from the lost possession and Ryan Parkinson crashed over for a converted try.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A dazed Irvine then had to leave the field and Harrogate were reduced to 14 men but replacement winger Noel Minikin forced Macclesfield’s Franky Barker to lose possession and he kicked on to win the chase for the line and score.

A fluffed 22 drop-out led to a Macclesfield scrum from which Harrogate then went offside to give away another three points. In the final move, Harrogate were awarded a penalty and kicked for an attacking line-out but the ball went dead.