Otley kicked off into a moderate wind, the pitch and temperature set for running rugby, and immediately put pressure on Tynedale forcing them to concede a penalty which was kicked for touch on their five metre line. Tynedale conceded two more penalties, with Otley opting for scrums. However, on the third scrum it was Otley who were penalised, for dropping the scrum, which allowed Tynedale to clear their lines. Immediately and 12 minutes into the game, they turned the tables on us, a driving maul leading to a try out on the left wing by Oliver Walker which was not converted.

Four minutes later they had doubled their lead, scrum-half Dan Taylor putting the finishing touches to a line-out move. Tom O’Donnell intercepted the ball put unfortunately was offside. Otley managed to get onto the score sheet after 24 minutes when Tynedale were penalised for having hands in the ruck, Tom Hodson having an easy kick just 10 metres out.

Tynedale were playing attractive and four minutes later good running and passing, one very flat, by the hosts saw a move start in their 22 end up over our back line, Rob Parker the scorer. Ash Smith converted this one. Tynedale had the bonus point by 34 minutes through lock Graeme Dunn’s converted try. Otley came back three minutes later with their first try Tiploma Kivalu breached their defences, and Ben Steele took on the charge, before the ball was worked across to enable George Burkinshaw to score.

In the second half Otley came out aggressively and were able to get into their 22, only to be penalised for holding onto the ball. Tynedale extended their lead from a turnover ball just outside Otley’s half, Joe Mills scoring and Smith converting. Just before the hour Otley got a penalty that they put 10 metres from Tynedale’s line. In the ensuing attack, Henry Roberts took the ball above his head and then put it over in the corner to make it 31-15.

Enjoying their day, Tynedale were looking for more points and they scored when Tom McCullough went over for a converted try. However, Otley had the last word Jack Blakeney-Edwards ran into their 22, and Tom O’Donnell was held up over the line. In the following 5 metre scrum, Freddie Watson peeled off the back getting the ball to Sam Hudson * who scored his first try for the club.

The Tynedale report of the game commented that it was remarkable: no stoppages for injury, collapsed/reset scrums a rarity (only one?), both teams seeking throughout the game to run every opportunity. Otley's big forwards ran straight and hard, their backs nippy with good passing. The difference was the hosts sense of adventure in what perhaps their best performance this season.

* Newspapers reported it was Freddie Watson who scored Otley’s final try – we know it wasn’t.