Zebras keep up top four pressure with win

OTLEY maintained their push towards the top of the National 2 North table with a win away at Leicester Lions that owed much to a powerful scrum.

The visitors had the first opportunity of the match when Harry Skelton broke down the blindside Thomas de Glanville provided the support run but the pass from Skelton only found touch.

Skelton was at it again minutes later but Adam Malthouse couldn't hold the offload over the line, only for Otley to then push Lions off their own ball from the resulting scrum allowing Malthouse to finally score his try.

Joshua Hall grabbed Otley’s second after finding an overlap on the outside, the wing displaying enough power to beat two defenders to cross.

Max Titchener scored Lions’ first points with a penalty after 17 minutes before adding another one with six left in the half.

Ben Smith and Titchener traded kicks at the start of the second half before a second from Smith put 11 points between the teams.

Oliver Tapscott brought Leicester Lions to within four points of the lead with 15 minutes remaining after Lions benefitted from a rolling maul - however Benjamin Magee restored his side's lead after finding space on the outside.

The game and bonus point were secured for Otley when de Glanville crossed for his side's final try with three minutes remaining.