Forward power too much for tame Tigers

OTLEY subdued Sheffield Tigers with three rolling maul tries and a penalty in a game that went to the wire.

Early Otley pressure brought a five-metre scrum for Tigers, Ben Magee having come close to scoring. But Otley pushed the Tigers pack off the ball, Jack Scott-Paul touching down.

Roused, the Tigers came straight back and Henri Packard scored in the right-hand corner.

The visitors threw the ball and looked dangerous throughout, and, having missed a penalty, were rewarded when Ed Simmons broke through a tackle to score under the posts. Mark Ireland added the conversion.

Otley reduced the deficit just before half-time, after a penalty from a high tackle was put into the corner. Having gathered the ball, the Otley pack drove Joe Graham over and Ben Smith converted.

The second half was more attritional, Jack Mackie came close but a knock-on by Will Wallace brought him a yellow card. Otley’s elected scrum went down, although they got another penalty when Tigers were caught offside.

Putting the ball into the corner, Otley knocked on in the act of scoring.

For the second time, they pushed the visitors off the ball, Adam Malthouse scoring.

Joe Rowntree extended Otley’s lead with a 30-metre penalty and they were able to withhold Tigers’ attacks.