National League Two North: South Leicester 22 Otley 30

OTLEY moved up to third after a magnificent contribution from young Sam Melville who, after making his debut as a second-half replacement the previous week, was given the berth occupied so expertly by his father Glyn and grandfather Harry.

And Sam fulfilled the promise expected by running in tries in the fifth, 25th and 31st minutes!

He made an early break before finding support and was there when centre Michael Coady, making inroads as usual, gave him a chance to show his pace and open his account.

The hosts wasted no time in replying, centre Gaz Turner making room for El Madhi, coming up from full back at speed, to go over, fly half Rickie Aley converting.

But Otley were in no mood to hang about and began to press in all departments, a penalty coming their way for scrum half Stephen Depledge to regain them the lead.

He was there to convert Melville’s second try, and the blossoming half-back partnership came to the fore when he and fly half Neil Chivers confounded the home defence and give the ball to Melville to complete a  26-minute hat-trick.

Just before the break, a chase to follow up a kick ahead was won by Otley full back Kristian Sharples, Depledge converting to establish a 27-7 half-time lead.

However, South Leicester came out in a more determined manner for the second half, Aley kicking a penalty on 45 minutes and, when under pressure on their line, Otley could not prevent replacement scrum half Kris McFedries from scuttling over, Aley adding the conversion.

Re-asserting themselves, Otley edged forward with a Depledge penalty and, despite a 75th-minute try from No 8 Stuart Bale, the home side were left pointless when the conversion drifted wide.