National League Two North

Otley 40

Sale 34

HAVING suffered the heartache of losing inside the final minute to leaders Sedgley Park in their last home match a fortnight previously, Otley made amends to some degree by edging a contest of 74 points when they returned to Cross Green.

Visitors Sale weren't in the match until they were given momentum when home prop Adam Blades had a pass intercepted in the 15th minute.

Otley were 8-0 ahead then but conceded 27 points in 24 minutes to go in at half-time trailing 27-20.

However, on the back of an excellent team try finished off by centre Michael Coady in the 55th minute, the hosts just managed to keep Sale at arm's length in the final 20 minutes, although it was 35-34 at one stage and Sale had one final opportunity .

With wingers Henry Roberts (Otley) and Sam Stelmaszek (Sale) both showing their finishing prowess in a match of ten tries, the latter almost stole it for Sale at the death, knocking on a bizarre otley reverse flicked pass which, had he caught it cleanly, could have put him away under the posts with a simple conversion to win it.

Otley's director of rugby Peter Clegg agreed it had been a curate's egg of a display by his side but added: "When we were all on the same (hymn) sheet, we are a half-decent side but we need to perform for 80 minutes.

"We have a habit of resting or switching off, maybe due to a lack of concentration, but it should be remembered that we have lost three major players in the first six weeks of the season.

"However, they are a good set of young lads, Michael Coady's try was one of the best team tries that you will see and we are pleased to have won."

Prop George Burkinshaw put Otley ahead with a try in the sixth minute, skipper Stephen Depledge adding a penalty six minutes later.

Sale fly half Liam McGovern put the visitors on the board with a 16th-minute penalty and, despite a Depledge try – he is now equal third on Otley's all-time league try-scoring list with Glyn Melville – and conversion and a Roberts try, the home side went into the interval seven points adrift.

Prop Joe Kelly, Stelmaszek and flanker Tom Ailes all scored tries, while McGovern converted each and landed a penalty.

The match was certainly up for grabs in the second half but McGovern, so accurate from the touchline, missed two early penalty attempts from infield that could have extended Sale's lead to 33-20.

Otley then capitalised deep in Sale's right-hand corner after visiting flanker Adam Aigbokhae was yellow carded in the 53rd minute.

Referee Neil Chivers (no relation to Otley's fly half of the same name!) awarded Otley a penalty try which Depledge converted and, three minutes later, Coady finished off a delightful move to make it 32-27, although Depledge missed the easy conversion as he slipped just before making contact with the ball.

Otley's skipper did land a penalty after lengthy treatment to Sale No 8 Ben Gledhill, only for Stelmaszek to score on the right in the 65th minute, McGovern's excellent conversion helping Sale haul themselves back to 35-34 adrift.

The home side piled on the pressure in injury time, Roberts getting his second try, but Otley's victory could have been snatched from their grasp had that unnecessary home pass been collected by Stelmaszek with seconds remaining.