Barking 13 Otley 3

With conditions completely alien to Otley‘s requirements – overnight rain which continued throughout the game – their chances of success against the leaders was not enhanced.

However, they turned in a tremendous performance and were unlucky to come away without a bonus point – something they thoroughly deserved.

They soon felt the strength of the Barking pack but they stood up readily, giving as good as they received.

The visitors matched them in the line-out and other set- pieces, only to fall behind on 12 minutes to a penalty from full back Adam Armstrong.

As conditions worsened, progress became difficult, Armstrong adding a second penalty after 28 minutes.

When Otley lost lock Howard Parr to the sin-bin, the game looked likely to swing against them but they showed great resilience, managing to retain possession as they worked their way upfield and finally winning a penalty, which was kicked by full back Christian Georgiou just two minutes before the break.

Starting the second half in similar fashion, Otley had Barking back on their heels, gaining another penalty which, sadly, Georgiou was unable to convert – it was not a day for goal-kickers.

After riding the storm, the hosts began to find their feet, pushing Otley back into their 22 where, after a series of raids, centre Kevin Sorrell, on 57 minutes, slipped over near the posts.

Armstrong, the division’s leading points scorer, had a simple conversion.

It was now a battle of attrition, Otley switching their game and kicking for position but they were unable to get within striking distance, the competent home defence being happy to stick with this narrow victory.

Otley remain in the second relegation place but this performance should give them heart for their remaining ten matches, starting with Satur-day’s home match against Macclesfield.