Try-shy Otley edged out in Yorkshire derby

In the final minute ex-Otley centre Kyle Dench, having earlier set up a try for industrious hooker Aurin Yorke, raced through to secure the extra point as Otley once again finished try-less.

The hosts early-season form has deserted them and once again they had to rely on the accurate boot of Mark Ireland.

The strong-running visitors went ahead on eight minutes when, the forwards, unable to drive over, released centre Sam Bottomley to score, fly-half Callum Irvine converting. Two long-distance penalties from Ireland brought Otley back into the game but an Irvine penalty and Yorke’s try from a deft chip from Dench strengthened Harrogate’s lead, only for Ireland to reduce it with his third and final penalty.

Otley came out in determined fashion after the break but could make no impression, even when Harrogate lock Jacob Brady was sin-binned. A try by Irvine on 61 minutes and Dench’s run in from deep removed all hope of a bonus point for the hosts.

Sheffield Tigers came within a whisker of toppling league leaders Macclesfield in a thrilling match at Priory Park, but had to settle for a losing bonus point from a 21-20 defeat.

Macclesfield have lost just one of their 15 league matches so far, and were expected to ride roughshod over Tigers – but the Yorkshire side had other ideas and turned in a fiery but dedicated performance. Their final try was not converted, cruelly denying them victory.

Tom Outram kicked an early penalty to edge them ahead, and although Macclesfield hit back with a break through the centres, Tigers re-took the lead when Alex Drage broke away to touch down and make it 8-7.

Drage scored again from a 20-metre rolling maul, Outram adding the conversion, to put the Sheffield side 7-15 ahead.

Macclesfield scored a second try and conversion late in the first half, but Tigers still led narrowly.

A penalty try was awarded and converted which put the hosts ahead, and although Tigers scored again from a rolling maul when Drage completed his hat-trick, the conversion was just wide and the home side breathed a sigh of relief at the whistle.

Hull had no such luck, losing out at second-placed Darlington Mowden Park 52-7. They were 40-0 behind by the time flanker Ben Sullivan scored and James Cameron converted, but it was no more than a consolation for Hull.