OTLEY 25 PLYMOUTH ALBION 37

Otley had to start without five of the first choice back division yet the replacements were utilised extensively given the nature of the Plymouth side. The ball was handled through the backs on several occasions in an attempt to tire the large Plymouth forward pack. This tactic would have been successful had it not been for some weak one-on-one tackling at key moments in the latter stages of the game.

Plymouth were never under-estimated, as no full-time outfit should be, and their large pack were effective in gaining solid possession for their less effective back division. On the negative side was their hooker and Director of Rugby, the former England international Graham Dawe, who's attempt at contributing to proceedings consisted of throwing cheap shots at every ruck and maul which he managed to arrive at in time.

Otley started lethargically and gifted Plymouth a 10 point lead. Firstly, a penalty was kicked by Brett McCormack following an infringement at the ruck and then, following a charged-down Simon Binns kick on half-way, winger Pat Sykes re-gathered and scored under the posts for McCormack to convert.

After stemming the tide, Otley appeared to gain the upper hand when Simon Binns kicked two well struck penalties, the second following the yellow carding of Plymouth No 7 Daniel Thomas.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Plymouth edged into a 13-6 lead when McCormack kicked another penalty.

Nevertheless, Otley regained their supremacy at this stage and winger Will Darby took advantage of a stretched cover defence to dodge his way over with Binns converting. This was closely followed by a third penalty and a drop-goal by Binns to secure a half-time lead of 19-13.

Plymouth dragged themselves back when Kiwi No.8 Dan Ward-Smith broke from a wheeled-scrum on half-way to set up a try for replacement winger Andrew Matchett. Ross Winney missed the conversion and then Binns replied with two more penalties for Otley to have a lead of 25-18

With 12 minutes remaining, the run of play changed again and Fabian (2) and Thomas scored late tries for the visitors with Winney converting two of the tries.

Although the defeat was unfortunate, the effort of the Otley side that took the field could not be doubted. In particular, impressive displays were put in by centre Mark Billington and No.8 Ed Thorpe while Gareth Manuel was a tower of strength in the first half before being forced to come off at the break with an injury. Hooker Duncan Sayers was perhaps unlucky to be substituted after 45 minutes following numerous surging runs into the Plymouth defence.

Otley: Clappison, Darby, Billington, Thornton, Kirkby (Smith 77), Binns, Kendra, Pogson (Kelly 28-40), Sayers (Luffman 45), Hall (Kelly 64), Oakes, Manuel (Carroll 40), Tiffany, Bland, Thorpe (Burke 78)

Plymouth Albion: Kiddie, Fabian, Shannahan (Matchett 52), Fisilau, Sykes, Winney, McCormack (Cave 62), Parkes, Dawe, Reed, Luxton, Perry, Hart (Capaldi 62), Thomas, Ward-Smith

Referee: M Fox (RFU)

MATCH STATISTICS

Otley 25

Tries: Darby

Cons: Binns

Pens: Binns (5)

DGs: Binns

Plymouth Albion 37

Tries: Sykes, Matchett, Fabian (2), Thomas

Cons: McCormack, Winney (2)

Pens: McCormack (2)

OSCAR'S MAN OF THE MATCH

Mark Billington