Launceston 50 Otley 18: Purple patch is not enough

They were able to call on fly-half James Murray for his first game for 11 weeks and Joel Gill was back to take his place at centre but although they produced flashes of excellent handling, overall Otley were not strong enough.

The home side were quick to strike, centre Ryan Westren taking an inside pass from his winger to go over within two minutes.

After Murray missed with a penalty attempt, full-back Jon Fabian came into the line to touch down, giving winger Kieron Lewit a simple conversion.

Keeping the ball to themselves, the forwards drove over, No 8 Sam Hocking grabbing the try. A penalty by Murray put Otley on the board but Launceston were soon back Lewit scoring and converting.

A purple patch from Otley brought them back into the game, a second penalty for Murray was followed by a fine try for winger James Twomey, converted by the fly-half, and they arrived at the break 24-13 down.

Unfortunately for them, they were unable to maintain the momentum and centre Steve Perry was put over nine minutes into the second-half.

Fabian added his second before No 9 Ollie Stedman went over for Otley's final score. Fabian completed a hat-trick and replacement prop Tim Mathias scored in the final minute, Lewis converting three of these tries.