Tynedale kicked off with the blustery wind behind them, quickly getting a scrum outside the Otley 22. Otley then had to defend their line after a knock-on, eventually conceding a penalty try following three penalty scrums.

Otley came straight back. Tynedale kicked the restart into touch and from the line-out the home side launched a multi-phase attack with Tom Parnell making ground. The move continued with Eddie Crossland slipping through the defence before passing to Adam Malthouse who ran the remaining 20 metres to score. Crossland added the conversion.

The Northumbrians were again close to the Otley line with another scrum and, although they were pushed back, they kept possession. They then opted for pick and goes, peppering the Otley line before David Batey crashed his way over with Cam Grant adding the conversion.

For the next five minutes the game was pretty even, until Otley got a scrum just beyond the Tynedale 10 metre line. From there they inched forward, until Crossland again slipped through the opposition defence before passing to Jacob Holmes who had a defender hanging onto to him as he crossed the line. Crossland’s conversion levelled the scores at the end of the first quarter.

The next period of play was in Otley’s half and although they did once get out, two poor line-outs meant they were back to defending. A penalty decision then put Tynedale into the clubhouse corner, the Tynedale forwards marching their way over the line with prop Ben Haigh doing the honours. Having added the conversion, Grant added a penalty four minutes later. Tynedale got their bonus point try when Tom Mann arched his way through the Otley defence before handing the ball onto Joe Davis who dived over the line under the posts. Grant’s conversion made the half time score 14-31.

The wind didn’t seem to stop Tynedale making their way to the Otley line, although their first assault ended when they knocked on. Otley did have a few spells in the Tynedale half, but for most of the third quarter the game was played in the home half. Good defending meant the scorers weren’t bothered, until in the 63rd minute Otley were caught offside in their 22 in front of the posts, Grant taking advantage.

Tynedale were caught holding onto the ball just inside their half, which was then followed by another penalty putting Otley into the clubhouse corner. A cross-field kick was caught by Elliott Spiers who touched down for his debut try. However, this was immediately cancelled out when Tynedale caught the restart with the ball going to James Telford who finished off the move.

With 10 minutes left there was nothing to go for but a 4-try bonus point, and Otley battled hard to get it. They kept the game in the Tynedale half with Ryan Gibson getting that vital point to celebrate his 50th appearance close to the posts. Crossland’s successful kick brought the final score to 26-41, as well as the final whistle.

Picture by Stephen Lloyd