Hull 20

Otley 14

OTLEY secured a vital bonus point in the dying moments of last Saturday's National League Two North clash at Hull.

Playing with the wind, Otley were the first to get on the scoreboard.

Gavin Stead’s two long range penalties, for holding on and then a hand in the ruck, both from just inside Hull’s half, went between the posts.

However, after 13 minutes Hull broke through the Otley defence with Mike Adlard racing clear leaving Simon Humberstone with an easy conversion to give the hosts a 7-6 lead.

Both sets of forwards then battled hard to gain the upper hand, and although the bulk of the first half was played in Otley’s territory great defending keeping Hull out and the scores remained unchanged at the break.

Hull went 10-6 ahead after 57 minutes with a Humberstone penalty after Otley did not release quickly enough.

However, after four consecutive penalties Joe Graham capitalised on some good work by his pack when he scored a try.

Although the conversion unfortunately hit the upright, Otley were back in the lead at 11-10.

The home side retook the lead in the 67th minute with another Humberstone penalty, and nine minutes later they engineered a line-out in Otley’s 22, centre Steve Johnson joining the ensuing maul to score.

Humberstone’s conversion saw Hull ahead 20-11, but a late Ben Smith penalty saw Otley achieve a deserved bonus point at the end of a very close game.

With the bonus point, Otley now have 45 points in the league, which sees them remain third from bottom in the relegation zone.

The teams immediately above them, Huddersfield and Sheffield Tigers, are on 52 points each, while Luctonians and derby rivals Wharfedale, have 53 and 54 points, respectively.

NICK DOYLE