Otley did not re-produce the level of dogged performance that had accounted for the Cornish Pirates the week before. With a raft of players unavailable due to injury, their cause was not helped by a yelllow card in each half and unfortunately the ever-lengthening injury list was added to when centre Paul Mooney broke an arm just before the end.

Simon Binns, who did not deserve to be on the losing side after an exemplary kicking display, opened the scoring with a penalty in the early exchanges but poor ball security allowed Nottingham to repel Otley's advances with the aid of a strong wind. Once camped in Otley's 22, Nottingham's ambition was limited but effective as first prop Nigel Hall and then hooker Joe Duffy scored two classic front row forward tries.

Nottingham fly half Tom Barlow converted the second and added a penalty after Maifea Maifea was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle.

Prompted by Binns, Otley started to fight back despite their numerical disadvantage, and the Otley No.10 converted three penalties in a difficult cross wind to bring his side back into the match at 15-12 down.

Unfortunately, Nottingham scored a late first half try after play had been waved on following a seemingly blatant knock-on in midfield. Flanker Alex Loney was the scorer in the right hand corner after doing well to hold off the attempted tackles. Former Huddersfield Giants RL centre Ben Cooper was introduced at half-time as well as hooker Ben Steele with Maifea Maifea returning to his more familiar No.8 position.

Binns helped bring his side back to within a point when his excellent cross-kick was taken on by left winger Danny Smith who raced in from 40 metres out to score. Binns converted to make it 23-22 to Nottingham.

Unfortunately, important field position was surrendered and Nottingham became the benefactors as replacement Warren Coles crossed for a try after 65 minutes and then Duffy scored his second. Barlow converted the second to make it 35-22 at the final whistle.

Otley's growing injury list is now a concern and hopefully the recently publicised partnership with Newcastle Falcons will be implemented sooner rather than later in order to bolster the current playing resources.

MATCH STATISTICS

Nottingham 35

Tries: Duffy (2), Hall, Loney, Coles

Cons: Barlow (2)

Pens: Barlow (2)

Otley 22

Tries: Smith

Cons: Binns

Pens: Binns (5)

Oscar's Gamestar: Simon Binns

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