Otley were outplayed by promotion seeking who were well drilled and overpowered Otley at every turn, finally bringing an end to their 100 per cent home record.

From the outset the Tigers were camped in Otley’s half and although missing several key players, the home side were able to keep the visitors at bay. It was at times more luck than fortune that kept the scorekeepers idle, as Otley struggled to come to terms with the opposition.

A scrum following the kick-off demonstrated what was in stall, a penalty allowing Otley to clear but Park came back. Winger Richard Lepori slicing through the defence and was then bundled into touch, being tackled into touch five metres out. From the resultant line-out, the ball was turned over and Ben Black was driven over in the clubhouse corner. Four minutes later, and with Otley’s defences straining at the sinews in their 22, an errant Park pass was taken by Alex Beaumont who ran to the other end of the pitch to level the score closely followed by five Tigers.

The visitors were back ahead inside three minutes, former Otley hooker Johnathan Matthews throwing a dummy and then going over for centre Matt Riley to convert. Things started to settle down, although Park did not take all of the chances available to them, a knock-on 5 metres out must have hurt. In the end a circular move around the Otley defence saw Sam Lowthion go over on 33 minutes, Riley converting for a 19-5 half-time lead.

Otley had their best spell following the break, but could not break down the Tigers’ defence, the task becoming harder with tries from Lepori and Riley, replacement Steve Collins converting one. In the 71st minute, prop George Burkinshaw scored for Otley, with full back Tom Hodson converting. Another try, this time by Park lock Hallam Chapman, put the game beyond doubt. However, Otley were not out of it and a Henry Roberts try and a Tom Hodson conversion lifted spirits. As Otley went for the four-try consolation point and with the whistle about to blow, but it was Matt Riley’s second try in the cemetery corner from 25 metres out that was the cruellest blow.