Otley 17, Preston Grasshoppers 24

Going 12 points down with ten minutes remaining, Otley fought back to quickly get No 8 Jack Paul Scott over in this SSE National League Two North encounter.

Then they were straight back to hammer the visitors’ line, but lost possession, allowing Hoppers to boot the ball dead, signalling the final whistle.

Otley had started with much promise, twice slicing through to make the line but bdeing unable to deliver the scoring pass, and on the second occasion Preston responded with a strong run out of defence for former Wharfedale player, fly half Lloyd Davies, to score at the posts and add the conversion.

A penalty put Preston 18 metres out, the line-out leading to a scrum, where they were pushed back but retained the ball to set up a forward drive, scrum half Sam Kindred skipping over for Davies convert.

Behind 14-0 after just 16 minutes, Otley set about repairing the damage, scrum half Stephen Depledge being the catalyst, gathering a kick ahead to race upfield and set the backs moving, replacement James White going over for Depledge to convert.

A penalty kick into the corner had Preston under pressure again, and No 8 Chris Taylor collected a yellow card, Otley flanker Matt Heaton cashing in by being driven over.

Starting the second half just two points in arrears, Otley were attacking confidently, winger Nazir Karim just being caught on the touchline 20 metres out, and it was against the run of play when they conceded another try.

A failure to secure a high kick allowed Preston to seize the ball and some sloppy tackling let John Ward get in at the corner, fellow winger Lewis Allen striking a fine conversion.

He followed this with a penalty to take his side comfortably ahead but Otley came back to secure a  bonus point.