And so it proved in what was a highly entertaining game, each side testing each other for the full eighty minutes. Otley started as they did in the previous week, giving away a penalty having fallen offside having failed to secure the kick-off. Rhys Hayes made no mistake with his attempt at goal. Otley responded well with the first try of the game with a fine try from a line-out. When winger James Wood was held, the forwards took control, hooker Ben Steele going over and Mark Ireland converting.

Newly-promoted Chester were full of running and they quickly replied with a try from centre Richard Varkulis, only to lose the lead when centre Chris Gemmell, appearing on the wing after some neat interplay, raced in for Ireland to convert.

The scorers had a little trouble keeping up as the lead changed hands ten times as No 7 Michael Caven was driven over from a five-metre line-out, Hayes adding the conversion. Hayes kicked another penalty but, on the half-time whistle, Otley were awarded a third penalty when No 8 Dave Ford was sent to the sin-bin. Mark Ireland was true to form and enable the hosts to go in at half time ahead.

Being a man short did not inhibit Chester, Varkulis scoring from the restart and Hayes converting. Otley hit back when full back Arnold Ellison went in at the corner, Ireland adding the conversion, but Hayes, with a drop-goal and a 75th minute penalty, made sure Otley got just one point. Otley did come close to scoring again, as did Chester, but it was not to be and Cross Green had been breached for the first time since March.

With thanks to John Finch