Spirited fightback not enough as Otley’s relegation from the third tier is confirmed

OTLEY narrowly failed to complete the double over Macclesfield and it came at the cost of their National One lives as their relegation was confirmed.

Still smarting from their recent defeat at Cross Green, the fourth-placed hosts started confidently, gaining a penalty in the first minute and their strong running and fine support work had them 22-3 ahead at half-time but they ended the game clinging on.

Otley made a swift reply to full-back Chris Winney’s penalty, centre Ben Hough levelling but Macclesfield came back with a try from centre Jack Moorhouse, converted by Winney.

Settling at last, Otley began to pose problems but too often their finishing failed them, a knock-on on the line and careless passing costing them. Macclesfield took their chances, good support play sending over No 8 Jon Keep.

Hough missed a penalty and winger Curtis Wilson was denied a try because of a forward pass and just before the break Otley lost lock Richard Beck to a yellow card and from a close-in scrum, Keep was over again for Winney to convert.

Despite being short-handed, the Otley forwards, who had the edge throughout, began to wear down their opponents and Ollie Stedman was over within a minute of the restart, Hough missing the conversion.

He also kicked three long-range penalties. Two penalties from Winney proved crucial, however, despite one from Hough and then a try from Wilson. But it was not enough to prevent a second relegation in three years for Otley.

Wharfedale 24 London Scottish 31

Wharfedale matched the league leaders almost throughout this splendid, pulsating game and, for the second time in a week, they conjured a return for their efforts in a dramatic finale.

But unlike against Sedgley Park, the vital bonus point – sealed with a magnificent conversion of a last-action try – was fully merited.

Indeed, with the Greens holding a 17-12 lead five minutes into the second half, one of the shock results of the season was on.

Centre Tom Davidson struck first with a penalty but Scottish retaliated with tries by prop Tom Standfield and centre Ben Macdougall, the latter converted by stand-off Graig Ratford.

Davidson landed two further penalties before Rob Baldwin returned from the sin-bin and touched down in the 39th minute following a penalty scrum close to the line.

Five minutes into the second period, Davidson’s fourth penalty had the Dalesmen 17-12 ahead.

That lead was short-lived as Scottish showed their class. Blisteringly-powerful running punched holes in the home defence, tries by flanker Lewis Calder, No 8 Will Lipp and substitute lock Alex Karonias and two conversions setting up a match-winning 31-17 advantage.

Wharfedale fought on and flanker Dan Solomi was agonisingly close to a try, but the Dalesmen were not to be denied.

In the last play of the game, they kept the ball alive, flanker David Hughes scored in the right corner and Davidson’s conversion from the touchline captured the vital bonus point.