Match Report by John Finch (Otley RUFC Press Officer)
The visitors moved the ball well from the start and almost went ahead when fly half Adam Greendale’s 40 metre penalty scraped the upright.
They were not long delayed though. Pushed into their 22 by a penalty, Otley stole the line-out, No 7 Xavier Andre breaking away. When he was halted, the ball was moved blind-side for winger Steve Parsons to surge through, handing on to Greendale on his outside to make the line.
The home forwards, a mixture of many nationalities, were strong on the break and big lock Wame Ratu Lewaravu forced his way over near the posts, fly half Mark Harris converting.
Otley hit back when the ball was spread wide from a lineout and centre Jon Buchanan charged through to score, Greendale adding the extras.
Harris kicked a penalty and then a conversion after centre Dominic Shabbo had slipped through.
Within four minutes of the restart, Otley were back in the lead through a brace of penalties from Greendale.
Failing to secure the restart, the visitors found themselves under pressure and prop Aaron Liffchak forced his way over.
A breakaway seven minutes later saw full back – and ex-Otley player – Paul Sampson come up on the wing to take a scoring pass for Harris to convert.
Otley shot themselves in the foot with an attempted chip on their 22 which Paul Mackey intercepted to cross which saw his side an undeserved 18 points in front.
The visitors were not finished as a free-kick in the home 22 was quickly run by Dave McCormack, skipper Dan Hyde driving to the line where lock Tom Denton added the final flourish and Greendale converted.
Otley conceded a fine long-distance drop goal from Harris but were on the home line when the game finished. It just served to emphasise their commitment to the club.
MATCH STATISTICS
London Welsh 39
Tries: Ratu-Lewaravu, Shabbo, Liffchak, Sampson, Mackey
Cons: Harris (4)
Pens: Harris
DGs: Harris
Otley 25
Tries: Greendale, Buchanan, Denton
Cons: Greendale (2)
Pens: Greendale (2)
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