BEDORD 24 OTLEY 16
Despite scoring the only try of the game Otley conceded far too many penalties and Bedford kicker James Pritchard took full advantage by kicking 8 out of 8 penalties.
Keeping the half-time score to 12-9 down at the break while playing into the pouring rain and up the slope Otley were confident in turning the tables when they had the advantage in the second-half.
Simon Binns opened the scoring after second row Gareth Manuel broke down the middle, being pulled down a mere 10 metres short and gaining a penalty when the Bedford defence went over the top. Binns then quickly added two more penalties.
It was here the hosts changed their approach and began to emulate their visitors, forcing errors which were translated into points by the accurate Pritchard who steadily put his side into the lead which was extended to 15-9 four minutes after the break.
A head-high tackle on Chris Kendra by Andre Fox earned the No 8 a yellow card and while he was on the touchline the Otley scrum-half nipped over on 63 minutes, Binns converting to regain the lead.Otley then contributed to their own downfall by failing to put the ball into the corners of the pitch. Indeed, Bedford only looked like scoring from close-range mauls and it would have been near impossible for them to go the length of the field to score given the poor handling conditions due to the weather conditions.
Instead, Otley took wrong options, made mistakes and gave away 3 very kickable penalties which Pritchard converted with ease.
MATCH SQUADS
Bedford: Pritchard, Anker (Lincoln 34/44), Kirk, Staten, Whetstone, Barnes, Gray, Ross, Ronaki, Volland (Todd 68), Fichot, Rollason, White, Whitford, Fox.
Otley: Shuttleworth (Clappison 61), Darby, Law, Whatmuff, Kirkby, Binns, Kendra, Kelly, Luffman, Pogson, Oakes, Manuel (Rule 68), Burke (Holmes 68), Bland, Tiffany.
Referee: W Barnes (RFU)
.MATCH STATISTICS
Bedford 24
Pens: Pritchard (8)
Otley 16
Tries: Kendra
Cons: Binns
Pens: Binns (3)
OSCAR'S MAN OF THE MATCH