Tynedale 69 Otley 10

OTLEY'S worsening injury list is continuing to hurt their attempts to stave off the threat of relegation from National Two North.

Their plight hasn't been helped by having to play four of the top five sides in a tough run of fixtures.

It was typical of their recent luck that their side was disrupted by injury in the 25th minute with flanker Jack Scott-Paul having to take over at centre after Matt Coady was hurt.

A further blow resulted in long-serving hooker Ben Steele being called on to take over from Will Rigg at the start of the second half.

Despite their problems, the Otley forwards stuck to their jobs admirably, contriving to score a brace of tries but the home side was too strong overall.

The tone was set for the afternoon in the opening minutes when scrum half Matty Outson took a quick tap penalty. The ball was moved swiftly out to winger Oli Walker who scored.

Tynedale came straight back at the restart with full back James Spencer scoring a try which for centre Ash Smith converted. Smith was also on the mark five minutes later when winger Guy Pike scored.

The bonus point was secured six minutes later when hooker Jamie Blamire was bundled over.

Otley kept their hosts at bay for 13 minutes before another quick free-kick saw Outson put flanker Joe Mills over for a try which Smith converted.

The flanker added a sixth try three minutes later to stretch the lead to 36-0, but Otley hit back and were rewarded with a try from their ex-Tynedale hooker and now player-coach at Cross Green, Joe Graham. He grounded from a well-executed catch and drive.

Tynedale hit back with centre Tom Bramwell sneaking over and Smith converting for a 43-5 half-time lead.

The advantage was extended when Spencer went in for his second try and he secured the conversion when a third tap and run by Outson saw flanker Nick Cairns over.

Fly half Dan Taylor got his name on the scoresheet before a strong run from Cairns saw him grab his second try. Smith converted both.

Otley had the last word with another splendid catch and drive leading to Steele touching down.

ends