THE difference between these two sides was that Stourbridge, after giving Otley first use of an extremely strong wind, took full advantage after the break, soon overtaking a meagre 8-5 deficit.

This was a game with two good defensive sides and one kicker. The home side, one place higher in the league, of necessity chose to run the ball and took their chances. Kicks of any height were blown backwards, and with Otley following the same path, a hard but open game ensued.

But the Cross Green boys have suddenly failed to spot gaps, twice ignoring overlaps. Eventually centre Michael Coady, on 20 minutes, receiving from a scrum 30 metres out, broke through a tackle and, wrong footing the full back, swept over, Stephen Depledge's conversion attempt striking the upright.

Stourbridge soon replied. Stealing possession at the base of an Otley scrum 25 metres out, they were awarded a penalty, flanker Joe Carpenter taking a quick tap to dart through for a try. Depledge put his side back in front with a penalty, and they turned round to face their hosts and the wind. This slender advantage lasted just two minutes, fly half Chris Scott kicking a penalty to level the scores.

Chris Scott added a second penalty just before the hour mark to put the hosts in front. While Otley did have forays into their hosts’ 22, they were meet with a solid defence and left with nothing. Throughout the second half Stourbridge made much greater use of the increasing wind speeds than had Otley, and put the visitors under great pressure.

Two minutes after the penalty, lock Chris Depper went over. It was only through stout Otley defending that the visitors were able to contain the hosts to one further try - hooker Joe Heatley grounding with just four minutes to go. There was talk of a 4-try bonus being on the cards from the home supporters. While a 17-point deficit is bad enough, any more would not have fairly reflected the effort the Otley lads put in – in what were difficult conditions.