Otley triumph in exciting Cross Green encounter with Chester

THIS low scoring game lacked nothing in entertainment, with each side excelling in defence, a necessity because attacks came from every quarter.

The visitors scoring twice by way of their strength, an efficiently organised rolling maul while Otley replied in style through their speedy wingers with full back Tom Hodson providing the extra points with a conversion and a last-minute penalty.

Otley came out full of running, lively scrum half Max Johnson combining well with the back row in addition to his three-quarters.

He was the first to show, tapping an early penalty 30 metres out and almost finding a way through and as the pressure was applied they were awarded a penalty which drifted just wide.

A further penalty set up a line-out in the Chester 22 and a try looked on as the ball sped through the backs but a rather hurried final pass just failed to find the wing man.

Inevitably, it fell to Chester to open the scoring. In a rare visit to the home 22 by way of successive penalties they set up a drive which took them to the line, flanker Kyle Joseph grounding to provide the only points of a hard-fought first half.

Three minutes after the break Otley were level. Running the ball out of defence, Hodson fed winger James Wood who set off from fully 60 metres out to brush off tackles and power over in the corner.

Two minutes later left winger Henry Roberts, given the ball a similar distance out, beat his opposite number then chipped the cover to gather before scoring under the posts. Hodson had no trouble adding the conversion.

Otley continued to dominate but the Chester defence was solid and after 50 minutes a penalty got them into the home 22 where once again their forwards drove over, No 8 David Ford scoring a try to get them within two points.

Suitable encouraged they began to create some anxious moments but Otley looked the more dangerous., A chip to the corner was just too strong and then, with the game drawing to a finish and Chester, gaining possession from a turnover in their 22, they were penalised.

Hodson, after shaping for a kick into the corner, changed his mind when he spotted coach Charlie Maunder racing on with a kicking tee. He took the hint and kicked the goal.