Tynedale 40 Otley 17: Otley blown away in early blast

DESPITE another expressive performance, Otley could not recover from a damaging opening period.

Playing with a stiff breeze the strong home side set off in a workman-like fashion with 19 points within nine minutes.

Forcing a lineout 20 metres out, a solid drive saw No 8 James Murray crash over for centre Rob Miller to convert and from the restart the ball was run, but Otley were caught short of numbers and fly-half Gavin Beasley had an easy run in. He grabbed a second try four minutes later, Miller converting.

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At last settling down, Otley began to express themselves, a penalty into the Tynedale 22 was driven forward before the ball was released and a long pass from fly-half James Murray found full-back Chris Georgiou who cut through to score. Four minutes later, when Tynedale lost possession near Otley's line, the ball was snapped up by winger Curtis Wilson who high-tailed it to the other end, Murray converting. Otley continued to cause consternation with their running but when Tynedale reached the Otley line a series of scrums led to a second try for Murray, converted by Miller.

Otley caught the eye after the break, Wilson again going close but it was a stalemate until a hand-bagging in open play on 70 minutes ended with Howard Parr – nowhere near the action – given a yellow card. In his absence Otley were again rolled back over their line, sub Greg Irvin grounding for Miller to convert. They followed this with a try from Hamish Smales for Miller to convert, but Otley had the final say when Colin Quigley grounded from a drive.

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