Tigers tamed as Otley assume control

OTLEY clawed back a 14point deficit to run out comfortable winners against a spirited Sheffield Tigers side.

They had the territory in the first ten minutes but had only a missed penalty to show for it.

Just before the quarterhour, a loose ball was picked up and James Broadley ran 40 metres to score in the corner.

The Tigers continued to pressurise, and camped themselves on Otley’s 22 before Peter Swatkins kicked through and then dived on the ball to score. Mark Ireland converted both tries.

Otley’s response was immediate, their backs combining to see Jack Mackie in at the corner, the conversion sliding wide.

Five minutes later, Otley put a penalty into the corner and Tom Hodson scored.

Just before half-time, Sheffield were caught offside and from the lineout the forwards shepherded Joe Graham over.

Two Mark Ireland penalties gave the Tigers the lead again but they were cancelled out by two Joe Rowntree penalties. In the last 10 minutes, both sides vied for supremacy.

A kick into the 22 put Otley on the back foot but they came out with the ball and made it to halfway, where the Tigers were penalised.

Quick thinking by Joe Graham got them to the 22, and with two minutes to go Ben Bell crashed to secure the game.