Local rugby union: First-half try flurry puts Otley on the front foot

Full-back Ben Magee got Otley off the mark with a try on ten minutes, and stand-off Ben Smith added the extras.

Huddersfield hit back four minutes later with No 8 Richard Piper crashing over. But the conversion was missed and, when Smith converted a 21st-minute try by left-winger Alex Beaumont, Otley had extended their lead to 14-5.

Stand-off Charlie Morgan slotted over a 26th minute penalty to reduce the arrears, but they struggled to contain Otley and a third try for the visitors came on 35 minutes from Beaumont, with Smith adding the extras as well as a penalty shortly after to give his side a 24-8 lead.

Huddersfield stemmed the flow a little in the second half and closed the gap with wing-forward Lewis Bradley touching down and Morgan converting. But the final word went to Otley with Smith adding another penalty on the hour mark to cap a festive derby victory.

Two tries in the final 10 minutes wasn’t quite enough for Wharfedale who had to settle for two bonus points from a dramatic 39-36 loss to Sedgley Park.

Stand-off Jack Blakeney-Edwards scored a try, conversion and penalty for the home side but it proved to be their only points on the first half which ended with the Manchester side in control at 24-10.

Sedgley extended their lead to 29-10 with their fifth try shortly after, but Wharfedale continued to fight with hooker Dan Stockdale crashing over on 46 minutes.

Wing-forward James Brookes touched down on 54 minutes to close to within 10 points at 32-22, and although Sedgley ran in another try to lead 39-22 Wharfedale continued to fight well.

Replacement San Gaudie touched down on 69 minutes and full-back Rian Hamilton also scored a late try. Blakeney-Edwards’ conversions made it 39-36, but Wharfedale couldn’t find another score to challenge for the win.