Riley stars as Sedgley strip Otley of record

Otley ...................... 19pts Sedgley Park .... 45pts

COACH Steve Hazzelby was delighted with his side’s performance as Sedgley Park shattered Otley’s 100 per cent home record.

Tigers ran in seven tries to Otley’s three as the visitors maintained their third position in the table.

And the performance left Hazzelby elated with how his players put training ground work into practice.

“The boys played with intensity and pace, successfully putting together all they had practised at training,” he said.

“We should have scored more in the first half, but it is always difficult at Cross Green and with four young lads coming into the side it took time to settle.”

Otley were given a taste of what was to come at a scrummage on their 22 from the kick-off, but a freekick allowed them to clear.

But Sedgley Park returned and after winger Richard Lepori was tackled into touch, five metres out, they built up pressure that inevitably ended in prop Ben Black driving over.

Minutes later Otley looked in trouble defending a five-metre lineout, but a loose ball was given to winger Alex Beaumont who showed a clean pair of heels to the visiting defence to race the length of the field and level the score.

Tigers moved ahead again, though, as hooker Johnathan Matthews finished a break with an outrageous dummy to go in at the posts – Matt Riley converting.

Otley’s cause was not helped when they lost hooker Luke Chadwick to the sin-bin, but they held out in his absence until a wild pass cost the visitors a certain try when winger Sam Lowthion was given a clear run to the line – Riley again converting to give his side a 19-5 lead at the break.

The start of the second half showed a revitalised Otley in a more expansive mood and it was the turn of Tigers to defend.

But, despite losing flyhalf Rob Holloway to the sin-bin, winger Lepori scored on 55 minutes and Tigers once again took hold of the game.

Substitute John Coe was shown a yellow card and they moved the score on when Riley, a thorn in Otley’s side all afternoon, scored on 60 minutes, with replacement Stephen Collins converting.

Otley did sparkle at times, though, with prop George Burkinshaw forcing his way over and full-back Tom Hodson converting.

That drew a response from Tigers and lock Hallam Chapman scored with just four minutes remaining – with Collins converting.

Otley hit back again, Henry Roberts grabbing a try that Hodson converted, but Riley then replied for Collins to convert.

Otley coach Mark Luffman expressed his disappointment at losing their home record.

“The boys found difficulty in containing a strong, very organised side,” he said.

“It was not a reflection on our capabilities and we’ll have a better approach next week, at Chester.”