Otley pull late point out of bag on disappointing day against Tynedale

In blustery conditions on Saturday, Otley salvaged a late try bonus point in their 41-26 home defeat to Tynedale in National Two North.

The result sees them drop below their victorious visitors, and they now sit 10th in the 14-team table, just six points off the bottom.

Tynedale kicked off with the blustery wind behind them, quickly getting a scrum outside the Otley 22.

The home side then had to defend their line after a knock-on, eventually conceding a penalty try following three penalty scrums.

Tynedale kicked the restart into touch and from the line-out Otley launched a multi-phase attack with Tom Parnell making ground.

The move continued with Eddie Crossland slipping through the defence before passing to Adam Malthouse, who ran the remaining 20 metres to score.

Crossland added the subsequent conversion to bring his side level.

The Northumbrians were again close to the Otley line with another scrum and, although they were pushed back, they kept possession.

They then opted for pick and goes, peppering the Otley line before David Batey crashed his way over, with Cam Grant adding the conversion.

For the next five minutes the game was pretty even, until Otley got a scrum just beyond the Tynedale 10 metre line.

From there they inched forward, until Crossland again slipped through the opposition defence before passing to Jacob Holmes, who had a defender hanging onto to him as he crossed the line.

Crossland’s conversion levelled the scores at the end of the first quarter.

The next period of play was in Otley’s half and although they did once get out, two poor line-outs meant they were back to defending.

A penalty decision then put Tynedale into the clubhouse corner, the Tynedale forwards marching their way over the line with prop Ben Haigh doing the honours.

Having added the conversion, Grant added a penalty four minutes later to push his side’s lead into double figures.

Tynedale then got their bonus point try when Tom Mann picked his way through the Otley defence before handing the ball onto Joe Davis, who dived over the line under the posts.

Grant made no mistake with the conversion, leaving the half-time score at 31-14 in his side’s favour.

For most of the third quarter, the game was played in the home half but good defending meant the scorers weren’t bothered.

That was until in the 63rd minute, when Otley were caught offside in their 22 in front of the posts, Grant taking advantage by slotting over the penalty.

Tynedale were caught holding onto the ball just inside their half, which was then followed by another penalty, putting Otley into the corner.

A cross-field kick was then caught by Elliott Spiers, who touched down for his debut try.

However, this was immediately cancelled out when Tynedale caught the restart, with the ball going to James Telford, who finished off the move.

Grant added the extras and with only 10 minutes left, there was nothing for Otley to go for other than the four-try bonus point.

They battled hard to get it, keeping the game in the Tynedale half, before Ryan Gibson got the vital score close to the posts on his 50th appearance for the club.

Otley are at home again this Saturday, as they take on mid-table Hull Ionians.