Otley started with good intentions of winning this local derby and were 14 points after 10 minutes, setting up camp in the home side’s half with breaks from Stephen Depledge and Mark Ireland. Initially Otley were not able to convert this early pressure into points, giving away a penalty.

Undaunted, they pressed their case again, and after ex-Otley player Oli Denton passed without checking allowing Arnie Ellison to intercept, who then chipped ahead and winger Harry Hudson won the race to touch down in the corner. Mark Ireland converted.

It was not long before Otley stretched their lead when after a superb cross-kick by Mark Ireland, after line-out possession, to Jack Mackie in the opposite side of the pitch. Unfortunately he was tackled, but was still able to pass to Arnie Ellison with a clear run to the line for his second try of the season. Mark Ireland hit the right side of the post to secure the extras.

Harrogate had seen virtually none of the ball up to this point, and Otley extended their advantage further when Mark Ireland slotted a penalty awarded for holding on after 13 minutes. With local bragging rights at stake, the game became heated and the referee ended up dishing out five yellow cards in the second quarter – 3 to Harrogate and 2 to Otley.
Harrogate benefitted from these ‘rest’ periods when after 25 minutes, winger Sam Bottomley broke clear, cutting back inside to run on to a pass and under the posts for a try. Joe Rowntree had few problems kicking the conversion. Half time 17-7.

Both coaches obviously told their sides to watch their discipline as there were no further cards, but it was Harrogate came out the stronger. A glorious chance to reduce the deficit was missed when Denton broke clear on the wing, and in acres of space had a great chance to steal across the whitewash only to be thwarted by being put into touch by a defiant scrambling Otley defence. Mark Ireland extended Otley’s lead after 52 minutes with his second penalty of the game, but in truth it was the home side that looked the better.

A break from ex-Otley player Kyle Dench whose pass allowed Sam Bottomley to show a superb turn of pace through the Otley line for his second try, which was converted by Callum Irvine. Dench had his opportunity to score through Otley’s heart, only to stumble and submit to the tackle 15 yards from the line. A penalty with 12 minutes to go for Harrogate put the home side within 3 points and both sets of supporters began to wonder what the final outcome would be.

Otley’s nerves were soothed when, their hard working forwards ventured into Harrogate’s half, and a surge by Daniel Temm allowed Stephen Depledge to pop over in the corner and put the visitors hopefully clear once again with 8 minutes to go. Ireland’s conversion put the game out of range at 17-27.

Harrogate were left with getting a converted try to secure a losing bonus point and, having pressed Otley’s line at the death, replacement prop Ben Reaveley managed to burrow through the defence. This left Callum Irvine with an easy conversion, only for him to hear the final whistle straight afterwards.